The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Long COVID Service has produced a series of 26 short videos to help those with breathing difficulties and fatigue following a COVID infection to better understand and manage their symptoms.
Most people with COVID-19 feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks. For some people, symptoms can last longer. This is called long COVID or post COVID-19 syndrome.
The first set of videos will help people to understand more about normal breathing and why they may be feeling more breathless following an infection with COVID 19.
It highlights strategies to help people improve their breathing pattern to reduce symptoms of breathlessness and an irritable cough, as well as guidance on how to return to activity and exercise.
The second set of videos were put together to help people living with fatigue. Topics include the importance of energy management through planning and pacing of daily activities, rest, relaxation and improving sleep quality.
Karen West from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Long COVID service said: “Although the principles of fatigue management are quite simple, putting them into practice can be challenging and, in our experience, people need to learn how to allow their bodies to take rest when then they need it.”
“Although these videos were designed for patients experiencing Long COVID, the self-management techniques described would also be very useful for anyone experiencing symptoms of fatigue, or who have been diagnosed with a breathing pattern disorder such as asthma or COPD.”
Emma Major from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Long COVID service said: “When we recorded the videos in March 2023, 1.8 million people in the UK were estimated to have Long COVID, and Long COVID symptoms are adversely affecting the day-to-day activities of 1.5 million people.
“There are more than 200 symptoms associated with Long COVID, which may include respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological and dermatological issues. People also report mental health issues; predominately depression and anxiety.
“Everyone's experience of Long COVID will be different but fatigue, breathlessness and problems with memory, concentration and other mental functions are very common.”
The full series of videos can be found on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board website and on YouTube.
Since the Autumn COVID vaccination programme began in September, more than 239,000 people have taken up the offer for a vaccination across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Anyone eligible can book their COVID-19 vaccination via the NHS website www.nhs.uk, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free if they can’t get online – including all aged 65 and over, pregnant women and those with an underlying health condition.
GP practices and other local NHS services will also be contacting people to offer both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and people can book the flu vaccine by searching online for a local pharmacy.
To find out more about the vaccination programmes, including who is eligible, information about vaccine safety and where you can get vaccinated, visit hantsiowhealthandcare.org.uk
You can also call the HIOW Covid Vaccination Helpline on 0300 561 0018 and is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 1pm.