Post COVID-19 condition (long COVID): For health professionals
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Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition
The Public Health Agency of Canada provided funding to support the development of the Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition. These evidence-based guidelines help people make informed decisions about their health. They were developed using a systematic and inclusive approach that considered the perspectives of the public and those who have experienced post COVID-19 condition.
The guidelines outline some steps people can take to help prevent and manage post COVID-19 condition. Health care professionals should think about each patient's values, choices and health history before making decisions about care.
Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition
Diagnosis
There is no single definitive test to diagnose post COVID-19 condition. However, there are tests available that can:
- help with diagnosis
- identify or rule out other important conditions
Depending on the symptoms and medical history, the Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition suggest that the following tests may be considered to help with a diagnosis:
- questionnaires to screen for post-exertional malaise (PEM)
- tools such as the Post COVID-19 functional status scale or the EuroQol-5D to evaluate for dizziness and fatigue
For those with heart or lung symptoms, health care providers may consider the use of:
- chest x-ray
- 6-minute walk test
- pulmonary function tests
- blood tests to assess for iron or troponin levels
Testing and diagnosis resources: Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition
Treatment
The Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition suggest that the following treatment options may be considered to help with the condition.
- For those who experience PEM, rest and pacing to conserve energy to manage fatigue and avoiding activities that make symptoms worse.
- For those who do not experience PEM or post-exertional symptom exacerbation, activity, movement or exercise-based therapies.
- For those with confirmed post COVID-19 condition who experience a new COVID-19 infection, consider the off-label use of the following medications to reduce the chance of worsening long COVID symptoms:
- Metformin (short-course of 10 to 14 days)
- Antivirals such as Paxlovid or Veklury (remdesivir)
Clinical interventions: Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition
Learn more:
- Care Models for Long COVID: A Rapid Systematic Review (PDF, SPOR Evidence Alliance)
- Living with post-COVID symptoms (Provincial Health Services Authority of British Columbia)
- Chapter 24 of Clinical Management of COVID-19: Living Guideline (World Health Organization)
- Recovery and rehabilitation after COVID-19: Resources for health professionals (Alberta Health Services)
- Post COVID-19 condition: Clinical management tools (French only, Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux)