Now we’re the midst of Covid-19, our thoughts are tentatively beginning to turn to the process of recovery. For those who have become non-fatally ill with the virus, it’s perhaps less well known that their actions during this recovery period are just as important as those during the acute period of infection. In order to inform and prepare those who may not be aware of the dangers ahead, we need to talk about post-viral fatigue.
When it comes to the thousands and thousands of people recovering from the virus, in various levels of severity, it’s clear that the world is very much in unchartered territory. However, I believe there’s much we can learn from one particular patient group here: those who know all too well the struggle of managing unrelenting fatigue.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, usually called ME or CFS, is a neurological condition that causes a variety of debilitating symptoms: post-exertional malaise, chronic pain, cognitive issues, and a bone-crushing sensation of fatigue that no matter how much you rest, never goes away. Although notoriously under-researched, we now know both anecdotally and scientifically that ME/CFS often develops as a result of viral infections; particularly where rest and recovery from such illnesses has been stunted or interrupted. Over the years, one thing has become clear: if you’re not looking after yourself correctly during and immediately after a viral infection, the results could be devastating.
