6th May
Most people have recovered after having the virus, but what is it like? Video below explains about the after-effects and explains how to help someone to recover.
How long does it take to recover? Maybe weeks, months .. maybe more than a year.
If it is mild, then can recover at home in a week. But the infection is not gone until the person’s temperature is back to normal. The cough can stay on for a few weeks. Some people are still very tired after recovering form illness. Even getting dressed making tea can make the person exhausted. They need lots of rest and should drink lots of water.
If a person has more serious symptoms and has been to hospital, when get home, they may need 2 to 8 weeks – they could still be short of breath because the body has to recover from inflammation and scarring from the virus.
But there can also be mental health issues. People can be distressed from being in hospital, with no visitors. When you look after someone you can just play games with them or even just talk to them.
People who have had the severe illness; they had to go into intensive care and have a ventilator. It can take 12 to 18 months to recover. They have the same problems as the others but their muscles are weak because they have been in bed so long. They have to do exercises. Sometimes they get confused and have flashbacks.
It is important for everyone to stay healthy before the virus and then they will recover more quickly.