A Northstate pulmonary specialist says recovering from COVID could be a lengthy process. It could take up to a year, if not longer for some.

Dr. Rafael Lupercio, a pulmonary specialist in the Northstate, says,

“As a respiratory doctor, thankfully, I have seen quite a few people that have survived. And, so far, unfortunately, most of them recover to some degree but most of them have residual problems," explained Northstate Pulmonary Specialist Dr. Rafael Lupercio. "So what happens with the virus once it gets into the lungs; it creates an inflammatory process. And with the inflammation, once it goes away, some of the lungs are going to stay abnormal—they will become scarred.”

Dr. Lupercio says respiratory recovery takes time and post-COVID side effects can also include headaches and muscle aches. His best advice is to eat healthily, stay active, and do not smoke.

He also urges people to get vaccinated, especially with the different variants spreading.

“Infectivity of the Delta variant is really, really high, and we all have, kind of, let our guard down. Now, we are going to sporting events, concerts and people are getting together and not using their masks; they are not as cautious as we used to. And we have seen a lot more infections. The hospitals are busting by the seams; they are filled up with a lot of COVID patients, and over 95% of them are not vaccinated, and they are dying too. So, the vaccine is the number-one way to try to prevent this,” says Dr. Lupercio.

For more details on where to go for a vaccine, you can visit MyTurn.