postinfectious
After the sickness
Postinfectious describes conditions or symptoms that arise after an infection has resolved.
The original pathogen may be gone, but the body continues to experience effects—inflammation, fatigue, or immune dysfunction: postinfectious cough, postinfectious arthritis.
The term gained wider recognition with long COVID and other syndromes where recovery from acute illness doesn't end the story.
Weariness from prolonged exertion
- malaiseDiffuse, sourceless discomfort
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- debilitationLoss of strength or vitality
- inflammationProtective tissue response
cognitive dysfunction · joint pain · muscle aches · headaches · dizziness · palpitations · breathlessness · insomnia
Inflammatory brain condition
- rheumatic feverStreptococcal infection's systemic inflammatory sequel
- myocarditisCardiac muscle inflammation
- pericarditisInflammation surrounding the heart
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
IBS · anosmia · brain fog · chronic fatigue syndrome · POTS · mast cell activation · adhesions · scar tissue
Prolonged coronavirus illness effects
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- long-termLasting extended period
- protractedExtended beyond normal duration
- lingeringRemaining beyond expected duration
relapsing · enduring · disability · ongoing · prolonged · recurrent · flare-ups · remission
Post-illness healing phase
- recuperationGradual return to health
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- healingRestoration of health
- restorationReturning something to condition
regeneration · rest · therapy · reconstitution · immunity · antibodies · resilience · pacing
fatigue
Weariness from prolonged exertion
- malaiseDiffuse, sourceless discomfort
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- debilitationLoss of strength or vitality
inflammation · cognitive dysfunction · joint pain · muscle aches · headaches · dizziness · palpitations · breathlessness · insomnia · neuropathy
encephalitis
Inflammatory brain condition
- rheumatic feverStreptococcal infection's systemic inflammatory sequel
- myocarditisCardiac muscle inflammation
- pericarditisInflammation surrounding the heart
autoimmune · IBS · anosmia · brain fog · chronic fatigue syndrome · POTS · mast cell activation · adhesions · scar tissue
long COVID
Prolonged coronavirus illness effects
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- long-termLasting extended period
- protractedExtended beyond normal duration
lingering · relapsing · enduring · disability · ongoing · prolonged · recurrent · flare-ups · remission · exacerbation
convalescence
Post-illness healing phase
- recuperationGradual return to health
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- healingRestoration of health
restoration · regeneration · rest · therapy · reconstitution · immunity · antibodies · resilience · pacing · supportive care
postinfectiousinfectious
Able to spread disease
septic · febrile · symptomatic
postinfectiousnoninfectious
Cannot pass to others
non-infectious · primary · congenital · autoimmune · hereditary
post, infect, infects, infected, infecting, infection, infections, infectious, infectiously