The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia continues to increase every day. Even as of Wednesday, November 25 2020, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 has reached 506,000 with 425,000 recovered patients and 16,111 deaths. Along with the increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19, we are expected to always implement health protocols as strictly as possible so as not to be infected with COVID-19.
According to the WHO ( World Health Organization ) statement, this pandemic has greatly affected health services, especially in developing countries. One of the most affected health services is medical rehabilitation. Based on a survey, medical rehabilitation services in more than 60 countries have been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, WHO requires rehabilitation as part of the national strategy for treating COVID-19 patients because rehabilitation is the key to recovery in COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 patients.
Post Covid-19 Rehabilitation
Most patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection still have some symptoms of infection even though they have tested negative. Some of these symptoms include frequent shortness of breath, chest palpitations, headaches, joint pain, a sense of smell that has not improved, fatigue, and excessive fear and anxiety. These physical symptoms are caused by residual COVID-19 infection in the form of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the patient's lung area. In the case of SARS and MERS, scar tissue generally disappears after about 12-24 months. The process of removing scar tissue in a patient's lungs also depends on their individual conditions. Thus, rehabilitation is urgently needed so that the residual symptoms of COVID-19 infection completely disappear so that patients can carry out their activities as before.
according to dr. Novaria Puspita, Sp.KFR (Medical Rehab Specialist at EMC Sentul Hospital), this post-COVID-19 rehabilitation is carried out in stages, planned, measurable, and regularly under the guidance and advice of a doctor. Before rehabilitation is carried out, the doctor will plan a rehabilitation program according to the needs and conditions of each patient. Things that are considered by doctors are whether the effects of the COVID-19 infection experienced by patients are classified as mild, moderate, or severe. The next stage is to assess the post-COVID-19 symptoms that appear in patients as well as assess heart, lung, muscle fitness, balance, impaired function, and breathing.
So far, cell and tissue repair in patients with COVID-19 have been able to recover as usual within 6 months by carrying out optimal post-COVID-19 rehabilitation. Rehabilitation can be in the form of breathing, physical, fitness, relaxation training, and many more. Apart from being advised to carry out rehabilitation, post-COVID-19 patients must also be careful not to overexert their energy for fear of complications such as stroke , heart disease, or injury. However, the symptoms that still appear after COVID-19 will certainly gradually disappear after undergoing the rehabilitation process so that patients can return to health and be productive in carrying out their daily activities. #LiveExcellently
Article written by dr. Novaria Puspita, Sp.KFR (Medical Rehab Specialist at EMC Sentul Hospital).