MEDICAL RESORT TREATMENT IN POST COVID-19 PATIENTS WITH PERSISTENT MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS.

Medical Climatotherapy in sanatorium conditions is a traditional method applied by Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in the convalescent period, after infectious and non-infectious diseases. Rehabilitation is an essential part of long-term medical care after COVID-19 and is a very important element in the recovery process. A large number of patients in the recovery phase after SARS-CoV-2 infection have prolonged clinical symptoms that can persist for weeks and months after the acute phase of illness. In conjunction with the increasing number of patients who have survived coronavirus infection, the need for post-coronavirus care to recover and overcome residual clinical symptoms is also increasing. The long-lasting effects of COVID-19 can be manifested by respiratory system impairments, but also any other system in the body, including musculoskeletal symptoms, decreased physical capacity, reduced quality of life and psycho-emotional symptoms. In resort settings, natural physical factors are combined with preformed physical factors together with appropriate physical activity, nutritional and dietary regime. The main resort factors are: climate, mineral waters and healing mud. There is a growing need to develop an effective strategy and management of post-acute rehabilitation measures for postCOVID-19 patients to address a large contingent of those in need with a focus on older people with co-morbidities. Medical rehabilitation provides opportunities for a continuum of care that can be successfully delivered in a resort setting in the absence of contraindications. Aim: to investigate the potential benefits of the application of climato-resort treatment in patients in period of recovery with symptoms of Long COVID- 19 or post COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Materials and Methods: a review of the available scientific literature was conducted, covering global databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, Science Direct) using keywords that included the terms: post COVID-19 condition, SPA/Resort treatment, mountain climato-therapy, thalassotherapy, rehabilitation, functional recovery. Results: A review of the specialist literature found evidence for the therapeutic benefits of conducting rehabilitation in a resort setting. The application of natural and preformed physical factors resulted in overcoming residual symptoms on the broncho-pulmonary system, improving the functional capacity of the respiratory system and skeletal musculature, increasing the tolerance to exercises and physical activity, and influencing the psycho-emotional consequences of COVID-19. Conclusions: Resort and climato-therapy can be an important factor in the recovery process after COVID-19, for prevention and improvement of the body's resistance to the adverse effects of environmental factors, infectious agents, and the negative effects of modern lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]