Even after 14 days of COVID-19 illness, there is an extreme weakness. How long will this last?

Question

Hi doctor,

My father is on the 14th day of COVID-19 illness. Initially, he had a cough alone for the first two days, but he has a fever for the last 12 days. Till yesterday, the fever reduces with the tablet Paracetamol and after six or seven hours, it comes back, but today there is no fever. As of today, oxygen is between 93 to 94 %, and pulse is 115. Oxygen has improved, but pulse has increased. One thing which is worrying a lot is extreme weakness, and he is totally sleepy. He is not able to sit much. Even taking steam is exhausting for him. His appetite has not yet improved, and he is taking only liquid. Is he in the safe zone now since it is the 14th day of illness? How long will this extreme weakness be?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. According to your statement, your father has been suffering from COVID-19 and COVID associated complications like fever, cough, extreme weakness, loss of appetite, etc.

As your father is on day 14 of COVID-19 illness today, he should undergo RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) for COVID-19 to check whether he is still COVID positive or not.
In viral infections like COVID-19, viral infection-induced extreme weakness or post-viral asthenia (abnormal physical weakness) is prevalent. Such weakness will take time to disappear, and it will take days, weeks, or months to subside fully. If your father does not have diabetes mellitus, then you can provide him with glucose water. Glucose water helps to increase oxygen supply in the blood and gives him some energy.
If your father's oxygen saturation level declines below 92 % or develops respiratory complications like shortness of breath or respiratory distress, he should be admitted to the hospital for oxygen inhalation therapy.
Again, fever can cause tachycardia, and as 14 days have almost gone by, I think there is nothing to be worried about.

Take care and let me know if I can assist you further.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Oxygen saturation level can be declined by fever or high temperature, shortness of breath, etc. As I have already mentioned, if his oxygen saturation level declines below 92 %, then get himself admitted to the hospital for oxygen saturation. As 14 days have almost gone without any major complications, so I think your father's overall health conditions, along with his oxygen saturation level, will be improved over time.

Please give him tablet Dexamethasone twice daily for 7 days after the meal as it can help to improve his respiratory conditions.

If cough persists for a long time or bothers him, he should undergo HRCT (high resolution computed tomography) of the chest to exclude COVID pneumonia.

Take care. In case of any other query, ask me.