Holistic healthcare programs for post COVID-19 recovery

COVID-19 has thrown normal life out of gear with no immediate end in sight. During COVID-19 infections, a wide variety of signs and symptoms might exhibit, hinging upon disease severity and preexisting health conditions. Nonetheless, some patients continue experiencing certain symptoms after achieving their initial recovery. Post COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID, is a term used to describe the effects of COVID-19 that persist for 4 weeks or longer beyond the initial illness. It extensively results in a broad range of manifestations, affecting different organs and systems in the body. Both short-term and permanent effects caused by post COVID-19 condition have brought about devastating impacts on patient’s overall health and well-being. Therefore, health check-ups after COVID-19 infections remain essential among people who were previously infected, regardless of disease severity. The results obtained from check-up programs allow for a full recovery and a proactively continuous healthcare plan. To suit for each individual’s condition based upon different degrees of health impacts on daily life, there are 2 check-up programs available:

1. Post COVID-19 Essential Check Up: 

This program is recommended for patients with mild symptoms which do not cause a significant disruption on daily life and activities. However, unexplained manifestations require additional investigation in order to detect any underlying post COVID-19 complications and to assess the recovery of various organ systems in your body. This package includes the assessment of coagulation system, lung function, liver function and kidney function as well as the inflammation of the heart muscle. 

Post COVID-19 Essential Check Up consists of the following tests: 

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Glycated Hb (HbA1C)
• Kidney Function Test (BUN)
• Kidney Function Test (Creatinine plus GFR)
• Liver Function Test (SGPT or ALT)
• High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
• Fibrin Degradation Product (D-Dimer)
• Urine Examination
• Mental Health Screening (PHQ-9)
• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiography (EKG)
• Physical examination and consultation by integrated care physician

2. Post COVID-19 Advanced Check Up:

This program is recommended for patients with serious symptoms which significantly impair quality of life and limit daily activities, even when resting. Comprehensive investigations are required to detect any underlying post COVID-19 complications, including cardiovascular and respiratory issues. This package consists of the assessment of coagulation system, lung function, liver function and kidney function as well as the inflammation of the heart muscle and the detection of antibody against COVID-19 as a natural immunity.  In addition, this package also includes the comprehensive assessment of the respiratory system using high-resolution computed tomography scan and cardiovascular system using an echocardiography to create detailed pictures of the heart by high frequency sound waves (ultrasound).

 Post COVID-19 Advanced Check Up consists of the following tests:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Prothrombin Time (PT)
• Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)
• Glycated Hb (HbA1C)
• Kidney Function Test (BUN)
• Kidney Function Test (Creatinine plus GFR)
• Liver Function Test (SGPT or ALT)
• Liver Function Test (SGOT or AST)
• Liver Function Test (Alkaline phosphatase or ALP)
• High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
• Cardiac Enzyme (Troponin I – high sensitivity)
• Fibrin Degradation Product (D-Dimer)
• Urine Examination
• COVID-19 Spike Protein IgG Quantitative Antibody 
• COVID-19 S Protein RBD Neutralizing Antibody
• Mental Health Screening (PHQ-9)
• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiography (EKG)
• Echocardiography (ECHO)
• High-Resolution Computed Tomography Scan of the Chest (Chest-HRCT)
• Physical examination and consultation by integrated care physician

As COVID-19 can sometimes persist for weeks or months, besides the lungs, the virus can damage several organs in the body, potentially leading to the risk of long-term health problems. To ensure a full recovery after COVID-19 infections, it is highly recommended to seek comprehensive health check-ups, allowing a proactive healthcare plan to resume quality of life and well-being.