Why do I still have dizziness after recovering from a positive COVID-19 test?
Recovery from COVID-19 refers to the convalescence stage after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. If a patient continues to experience dizziness after recovery, this may be due to physical weakness, vestibular neuritis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or other factors. It is recommended that patients alleviate dizziness through general management, medication, surgical treatment, and other approaches.
1. Physical Weakness
Although the basic recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection has occurred, in a few patients with weaker constitutions, full recovery hasn't been achieved. These individuals often suffer from poor appetite and reduced food intake, leading to insufficient nutritional intake that fails to meet the body's needs, resulting in physical weakness and symptoms such as dizziness. Patients should consume light, nutritious, and easily digestible foods such as bone soup and steamed egg custard; drink plenty of warm water to maintain hydration; maintain regular sleep patterns with adequate bed rest, and avoid excessive fatigue.
2. Vestibular Neuritis
The pathogenesis of vestibular neuritis is mostly linked to viral infections. After infecting the human body, the novel coronavirus not only attacks the respiratory tract but may also affect the vestibular nervous system of the inner ear, triggering vestibular neuritis. This condition causes dizziness and vertigo, often accompanied by pallor, nausea, and headache. It is recommended that patients take antiviral medications such as oseltamivir phosphate capsules or ribavirin granules under medical supervision.
3. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to degeneration of the otolithic membrane or displacement of otoconial fragments within the semicircular canals, resulting in BPPV. This causes dizziness along with symptoms such as nystagmus, nausea, and vomiting. Under medical guidance, patients may take medications such as ginkgo biloba extract tablets (Ginaton) or betahistine mesylate tablets to improve inner ear circulation. In severe cases, surgical intervention such as posterior semicircular canal occlusion may be required.
