Postviral Asthenia: Weakness After Flu, ARVI, and COVID

Sometimes the illness is over, but your strength still hasn't returned. You wake up feeling drained, simple tasks take longer, and it's unclear whether this is still recovery or something else. Let's look at what is known about weakness after a viral infection and in which cases it is investigated by a doctor.

What postviral asthenia is

Asthenia is a painful condition with increased fatigability, unstable mood, sleep disturbance, and loss of the ability to sustain prolonged mental and physical exertion. In Russian-language literature, the term "asthenic syndrome" is more often used. With it, fatigability occurs both before work and after rest, and irritability is combined with rapid exhaustion and tearfulness.

Fatigue in itself is not a disease but a symptom, and it has many causes: lack of sleep, stress, depression, hormonal changes, certain infections, including COVID, and certain types of treatment.

Asthenic syndrome after flu and ARVI

Fatigue can accompany certain illnesses, including infections such as COVID. Asthenia can be somatogenic, that is, related to diseases; the doctor looks for the underlying cause.

Asthenia after COVID and coronavirus

Asthenia occurs in patients who have had a coronavirus infection, and it persists for two months in 60% of such patients.

Other causes of asthenia: stress, stroke

Psychogenic asthenia appears due to overstrain of the psyche, when a person distributes their energy inadequately or experiences an internal conflict. Fatigability is among the consequences of a recent stroke and can accompany depression and anxiety disorders. Therefore, the same weakness can have different causes, and a doctor helps to sort this out.

How asthenia manifests

The symptoms of asthenia are nonspecific and resemble the manifestations of many somatic and mental conditions. Commonly seen are:

• mood swings, irritability, tearfulness;
• fatigue before work and after rest, low work capacity;
• worsened attention and concentration, memory disturbances are possible;
• sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle tension in the neck and back;
• increased sensitivity to loud sounds, bright light, and strong odors.

When weakness after illness requires evaluation

See a doctor if fatigue persists for several weeks and you don't understand why, interferes with daily life, or is accompanied by other symptoms — weight loss, mood changes — and also if you have been told that you snore, choke, or make snorting sounds during sleep. The doctor will ask about sleep, activity, and appetite, examine you, and may order blood tests — for example, for anemia, diabetes, or thyroid problems. If the cause is unclear, you will be referred to a specialist.

Weakness after a viral infection is not in itself a reason to call an ambulance. Call 103 or 112 if, along with weakness, signs of stroke or heart attack appear, there is a serious injury, or the condition is life-threatening.

This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation: if weakness does not go away, it is better to discuss it with a specialist.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer