We’re at the stage in Nanjing where many, with varying degrees of success, have managed to fight through a bout of COVID. But in recovery mode, there nevertheless remain questions as to unforeseen side effects, answered today by two experts.
Are you feeling a shortness of breath? Tightness in your chest? These perhaps most common side effects experienced even several days after recovering from COVID are of particular concern to pregnant women.
您是否感到呼吸急促？胸部发紧？这些可能是最常见的副作用，甚至在从新冠病毒中恢复几天后也会出现，这对孕妇来说尤其令人担忧。
As per Nanjing Daily, the advice for them, from Wu Lan, Obstetric Director and Shi Aiwu, Medical Director, at the Nanjing Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital (南京市妇幼保健院), also by and large holds true for all.
据《南京日报》报道，南京市妇幼保健院产科主任吴兰、医务主任施爱武给他们的建议，大体上也适用。
Q: “How do I know I have become COVID negative?”
问：“我怎么知道我的新冠病毒呈阴性？”
Wu Lan: “The reference standards for pregnant women and other people are the same. If body temperature has been normal for more than 3 days, respiratory symptoms have disappeared or are obviously relieved; and if two nucleic acid tests taken more than 24 hours apart both showed a negative result, or the CT value of the nucleic acid was greater than or equal to 35, then COVID negative is the result.”
吴兰：“孕妇和其他人的参考标准是一样的。体温正常3天以上，呼吸道症状消失或明显缓解；间隔24小时以上两次核酸检测均为阴性，或者核酸CT值大于等于35，则为新冠阴性。”
Q: “Why do I still have a cough after having had COVID? How long will it take to go away?”
问：“为什么我感染新冠病毒后仍然咳嗽？需要多长时间才能消失？”
Wu Lan: “It varies from person to person. Some pregnant women lose their cough in 2 or 3 days, while some need 3 or 5 days. In fact, coughing is a process of rehabilitation; cleaning the ‘battlefield’ and repairing the airway. Don’t worry about getting better slowly. According to experience, most people get better in 14 days.
吴兰：“这个因人而异，有的孕妇2、3天就不咳嗽了，有的则需要3、5天。其实咳嗽是一个康复的过程，清理‘战场’，修复呼吸道。不要担心慢慢好起来。根据经验，大多数人14天就会好起来。”
“In the case of a serious cough, the secretion of the respiratory tract will be exaggerated if you are lying down flat. Consider raising your head. One good way is to use two pillows, arranged in a T-shape. Your head resting on the horizontal pillow, as the bar of the ‘T’, will be conducive to smooth breathing and elimination of mucus.”
“咳嗽严重时，如果平躺，呼吸道分泌物会增多，可以考虑抬起头。一个好的方法是用两个枕头，排成T字形。头靠在水平枕头上，作为‘T’字的横杆，有利于呼吸顺畅，排出粘液。”
Q: “What can I do to avoid COVID reinfection?”
问：“我该怎么做才能避免新冠病毒再次感染？”
Wu Lan: “Pregnant women (and others) should continue to maintain good hygiene habits. After recovery, always wear a mask, wash hands frequently, open windows for ventilation, maintain social distance and cough etiquette. In addition, clothes, sheets, towels, tableware and other daily necessities used by any infected household member should be kept isolated as much as possible.”
吴兰：“孕妇（等）要继续保持良好的卫生习惯，康复后要经常戴口罩、勤洗手、开窗通风、保持社交距离和咳嗽礼仪。此外，感染者家庭成员使用过的衣服、床单、毛巾、餐具等生活用品应尽可能隔离。”
Q: “Can I return to work immediately after recovering?”
问：“康复后可以立即返回工作岗位吗？”
Wu Lan: “It should be noted that within a week or two after rehabilitation, convalescents may still become easily tired. At this time, pregnant women (and others) should pay attention to their work load and only gradually increase their physical activity. Working too hard is an impediment to a full recovery.”
吴兰：“需要注意的是，康复后一两周内，恢复期的人仍然可能容易疲劳。这个时候，孕妇（和其他人）要注意自己的工作量，只能逐渐增加体力活动。工作太辛苦，会妨碍全面康复。”
Q: “Why do I still feel a tightness in my chest, a shortness of breath and general weakness after having COVID?”
问：“为什么我感染新冠病毒后仍然感到胸闷、气短、全身无力？”
Shi Aiwu: Many pregnant women (and others) will experience a high fever, painful muscles, fatigue, excessive sweating, headache and a sore throat when infected. Post COVID, some people will continue to suffer from such symptoms as fatigue, weakness and tightness of the chest. These can usually be relieved within 2 weeks.
施爱武：许多孕妇（和其他人）感染后会出现高烧、肌肉疼痛、疲劳、出汗过多、头痛和喉咙痛等症状。新冠疫情过后，有些人会持续出现疲劳、无力、胸闷等症状。这些通常可以在两周内缓解。
“If you feel that you are still not in good condition, take a few more days off. Do not immediately engage in very heavy work as soon as you recover, or push yourself in terms of fitness. Once you find that you are tired and sweaty, you should immediately rest.”
“如果你觉得自己状态还不好，就再休息几天。不要一康复就立即从事很重的工作，也不要强迫自己去健身。一旦发现自己累了、出汗了，就应该立即休息。”
Q: “When can I exercise after becoming negative? What problems should I pay attention to?”
Q：“消极后什么时候可以锻炼？需要注意哪些问题？”
Shi Aiwu: “After recovery, it will take at least 2 weeks for many people to return to their previous physical condition. Anything more than moderate and relatively mild sports is not recommended. The previous activity level and workload must be gradually restored.”
史爱武：“恢复后，很多人至少需要2周的时间才能恢复到以前的身体状态。超过中度和相对温和的运动就不建议进行了，必须逐步恢复以前的活动水平和工作量。”
