The consequences of the coronavirus can be asymptomatic, and a series of laboratory tests is required to identify them. About what tests will help find the cause of post-COVID complications, Oksana Gizinger, an expert doctor of the Hemotest Laboratory, Doctor of Biology, Professor of the Department of Microbiology and Virology at the Medical Institute of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (PFUR) told Izvestiya.
“The consequences of COVID-19 are insidious, because often complications develop asymptomatically and can only be detected by laboratory tests. After an infection, many are in a state that is characteristic of various pathologies in the body – this is constant weakness, fatigue, sleep and memory disturbance, ”Gizinger emphasized.
According to her, it is possible to cure complications and start restoring the body only on the basis of a thorough laboratory diagnosis and on the basis of a doctor’s recommendations. So, first of all, those who have recovered from COVID-19 should make sure that there are no inflammatory processes left in the body. To do this, you need to conduct a blood test for C-reactive protein.
In addition, it is important to diagnose the cardiovascular system, since coronavirus often leads to such complications. So, to reduce the risk of heart disease, it is necessary to pass a complete blood count, which measures the number, size, shape of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Another dangerous complication of coronavirus can be violations of the liver and kidneys, and therefore it is important to check the condition of these organs. To do this, it is recommended to pass a general urine and blood test for a number of indicators: changes in urea and creatinine levels will indicate a violation of the excretory function of the kidneys, fibrinogen and albumin proteins – kidney failure, ALT, AST and SDH enzymes – liver cell damage.
Gizinger also advised those who had recovered from COVID-19 to check the level of vitamins, micro- and macroelements in the body.
“Vitamins D, B12, B9, as well as iron, zinc and magnesium are especially important for the treatment of post-COVID complications and general recovery of health. Often, it is the deficiency of vital substances that causes poor health after an infection, so the test results will help the doctor choose the optimal treatment, and the patient to effectively and quickly get rid of the post-COVID syndrome, ”added the doctor.
Following these tips does not replace the need to consult a specialist.
On April 27, a cardiologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Belenkov told how the coronavirus can affect the heart during the acute period of infection. According to him, as a result of the action of the virus, severe heart rhythm disturbance develops, shortness of breath and heart failure can also occur.
