To provide treatment to post-COVID patients who present sequelae at the pulmonary, neurological, skeletal muscle, cardiovascular or psychological level. The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) It has 188 medical units and Rehabilitation Services, First, Second and Third Level of care.
Social Security offers different interventions to post-COVID patients
Dr. Alma Nelly Contreras Delgado, head of the Social Security Rehabilitation Units and Services Division. She explained that conditions have been identified in the lungs, manifested with a feeling of shortness of breath (dyspnea), low oxygenation. Sometimes cough (dry or with phlegm); neurological issues in sensitivity such as numbness or electric shocks in any part of the body.
He added that in these two years of pandemic by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, consequences such as headache and dizziness have also been identified. As for cardiovascular issues, patients report palpitations or increased heart rate.
The IMSS specialist indicated that people who fell ill with COVID-19 may present problems at the musculoskeletal level such as joint pain or throughout the body, tiredness, fatigue. In addition to psychological complications such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, post-traumatic stress disorder. As well as alterations in memory, attention and in the ability to process thoughts.
He stressed that Social Security offers beneficiaries different interventions, the first is an assessment by a specialist in Rehabilitation, who plans the treatment according to the clinical characteristics of each patient; if it is mild symptomatology, care is provided at the First Level, that is, in the Family Medicine Units (FMU) with home programs.
The basis of all treatment is medical assessment
The head of the Rehabilitation Units and Services Division commented that patients with persistent symptoms or without improvement can be referred from their family doctor to the Second Level in General Area or Regional Hospitals. In more delicate cases at the Third Level, High Specialty Medical Units (UMAE), in both cases with updated laboratory and imaging studies.
He stressed that the basis of all treatment is the medical assessment by the specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine. Which, after a comprehensive study of the case, designs an individualized treatment plan, because each patient has different manifestations of the disease.
In this way, he pointed out, it will be indicated if attention or intervention of Physical, Occupational, Language, Psychology and Nutrition Therapy is required. Or if the evaluation by the Human Communication area or other specialties, such as Pneumology, Cardiology, Neurology or even Psychiatry, is necessary.
Therapies go hand in hand between the intervention of the Rehabilitation doctor
Dr. Contreras Delgado commented that the therapies go hand in hand between the intervention of the Rehabilitation doctor, Physical Therapist, Occupational, Psychology. As well as the adherence that the patient has to the medical indications of management with a home program, reinforce what she learns or is taught in consultation or her therapies, with a better probability of recovery.
As for the rehabilitation period, he said that there are patients who recover in a short time and others spend longer periods in their recovery. In clinical experience there is an estimate of between six and 12 weeks. Which depends on each patient and the control of diseases prior to COVID-19 infection.
Progress has been made in the recovery of post-COVID patients
Dr. Alma Nelly Contreras Delgado explained that people with Diabetes or Hypertension who suffered from respiratory infection. They may need more recovery time, but if they are well controlled, it is expected that they will be able to return to their activities sooner than a patient who does not adhere to their instructions.
He considered that, in general, progress has been made in the recovery of post-COVID patients, with good results. The study of the evolution of these and the type of sequels that they could have, but most of them. About 80 percent can return to their work activities as normal.
The Social Security specialist invited information through official means and with medical specialists in Rehabilitation. So that patients have a comprehensive, complete and professional approach. She reiterated the call to continue with the use of face masks, hand hygiene, healthy distance and adherence to medical indications.
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