Post Viral Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom of many different viral infections. It is a normal part of the body’s response to fighting a viral infection. Usually the fatigue goes away quickly once the body has dealt with the infection.

The main symptom is a significant lack of energy that is not improved through sleep. It is often accompanied by other symptoms which can vary and may include headaches, and heavy, aching muscles, for example. These symptoms fluctuate so that some days a person can feel better and manage to engage in activities, and then a subsequent day be incapacitated with debilitating symptoms again.

It is normal to experience fatigue during an illness caused by a virus, however mild the symptoms may be.

The severity and length of time that someone experiences fatigue doesn’t always reflect the severity of the initial infection or their previous fitness levels. Some people can be very unwell at the start of the illness but recover relatively quickly, whilst other people may only have a mild viral illness but go on to have debilitating fatigue for a long time afterwards.

For more detailed advice about managing during the recovery phase see our blog.

Post-viral fatigue can be improved through the practices suggested above and a sound balance of rest, activity and pleasure. It can, however, take many months to recover fully. Following a viral infection, you may seem slow to recover within what you would consider your normal time frame. If this is the case and your fatigue symptoms are persisting and are interfering with your capacity to carry out normal day-to-day activities, then we recommend that you visit your GP for further tests in the context of a full clinical picture.

Depending on the outcome of this you may be referred to a specialist fatigue service if they are available. We are also very happy to talk to you about whether one of our rehabilitation programmes could support you.

Most people who experience prolonged fatigue after an infection will make a full recovery. However, some people will go on to experience significant fatigue for a long time (a year plus) and may also develop lots of additional symptoms alongside the fatigue. In a small number of people, post-viral fatigue can develop into a longer-term or chronic illness known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

For detailed advice see our blog and this article from the British Medical Journal Management of post-acute COVID-19 in Primary Care

Our Specialist dietician offers her perspective and advice here.

It is variable depending on presenting symptoms and the nature of the job. We would recommend negotiating a graded return with your employer, and we can help by writing a personalised return to work plan if required. Please see our blog written by our Specialist Career & Employment Consultant.

It’s very important that this is done in a gradual, timely and appropriate way, and according to the particular situation of each person. Read our blog by one of our Specialist Physiotherapists for some general recommendations.