“Long COVID” is an illness with a range of possible symptoms that appear after a Corona infection, either continuingly or consequentially of Corona ([Koczulla et. al., 2021], p.6f). Some of the over 20 known symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, or memory problems ([Koczulla et. al., 2021], p.59). Long COVID is diagnosed and the symptoms treated after a medical examination ([Koczulla et. al., 2021], p.9). If the patient’s medical condition worsens, their physician needs to refer them to a specialist for the concerned organ (eg. a pneumologist) ([Koczulla et. al., 2021], p.9f).
With about 80% of patients suffering from one or more symptoms even two weeks after their diagnose, Long COVID is very common ([Lopez-Leon et. al., 2021], p.6). COVID patients suffering from Long COVID can feel very distressed. For example, in ([Median Kliniken, 2022]) patients report
- feeling misunderstood by their peers
- being pressured by their colleagues
- finding it hard to accept their momentary physical limitations
- panicking because of unexpected symptoms appearing after having recovered from COVID