COVID-19

CDC Releases Guidance for Post-COVID Conditions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released new interim guidance on the evaluation and management of patients with post-COVID conditions.

“The term ‘Post-COVID Conditions’ is an umbrella term for the wide range of physical and mental health consequences experienced by some patients that are present four or more weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including by patients who had initial mild or asymptomatic acute infection,” the CDC wrote.

Among the recommendations:

  • Many post-COVID conditions can be managed in the primary care setting.
  • Laboratory and imaging findings should not be the only measure of patient well-being or used to invalidate the existence of symptoms.
  • Shared decision-making should be used to set achievable goals for the treatment of specific symptoms or conditions, and a comprehensive management plan may be helpful to some patients.
  • COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to all eligible individuals regardless of SARS-CoV-2 infection history.

“Knowledge of post-COVID conditions is likely to change rapidly with ongoing research. Healthcare professionals and patients should continue to check for updates on evolving guidance for post-COVID conditions. CDC will continue to work in collaboration with federal, state, local, academic, and community partners to better understand the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and this guidance will be updated as new information emerges.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions: Interim Guidance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated June 14, 2021. Accessed June 18, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-care/post-covid-index.html