Since learning about the coronavirus, people have been keeping up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the news in general concerning any updates about the virus. As a society, we have learned that certain groups, such as elderly adults and those with pre-existing health conditions, are most at risk of contracting the virus and having the worst symptoms. We have even learned that some patients who have contracted the virus and recovered are at risk of suffering from “long term COVID” symptoms.  

All of this can be scary, and no one wants to get COVID or unknowingly give it to someone else. Thousands of people have sought out urgent care centers for COVID testing LA if they were possibly exposed to the virus. However, we are still not familiar with all the factors that make us vulnerable to contracting the virus. Specifically, what is the role that stress plays in contracting the virus? Can stress increase a person’s chances of getting COVID?

The Role of Stress in COVID-19

While healthcare experts have not declared stress as an official factor that puts people at risk of contracting COVID easier, certain elements of stress can contribute to the likelihood of getting the virus. The coronavirus pandemic has been beyond stressful for many people, from extended quarantines to mass layoffs to losing loved ones. The constant fear of contracting the virus and repeatedly visiting urgent care centers for COVID testing LA have led to people experiencing chronic stress. 

When a person’s body responds to stress, it reacts in a “fight or flight” way. And while this response is helpful for people who need to react quickly to immediate danger, it is not beneficial for people reacting to stress over a long period of time. In fact, the longer a person responds to stress in this manner, the more strain it puts on the body. Thus, it makes it vulnerable in unforeseen ways.

Acute and Chronic Stress

The extra fear of contracting the virus, in addition to the normal daily factors that cause stress in life, can cause a person to experience stress and experience specific physical and mental reactions from that stress. There are specific stressors, called acute stressors, that people experience for a short amount of time. Examples of acute stressors are shortness of breath, a pounding heart, stomach pain, headaches, and sweating. 

On the other hand, chronic stressors are stressors that repeatedly happen to the body every time a stressful event occurs. As a result, the body is under a constant state of alertness. If you find yourself in a continuous state of alertness and under enormous amounts of stress, you may be at higher risk of contracting coronavirus. Contact UrgentMED for COVID testing LA to make sure you are not sick.

Long-Term Effects of Chronic Stress

Some of the long-term effects of chronic stress include irritability, exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic symptoms, and feelings of detachment. These stressors can weaken a person’s body and affect their mental and physical health. The immune system and the way it functions is highly affected by chronic stress. 

The extended time that a body is exposed to chronic stress can worsen conditions that make people susceptible to viruses, like diabetes and heart disease. In addition to physical health conditions, these stressors can lead to several types of mental health conditions. They include depression and various kinds of mood disorders.

COVID Testing LA at an UrgentMED Care Location

If you have experienced the long-term effects of chronic stress and are looking for COVID testing LA, UrgentMED has numerous locations for your convenience. Contact UrgentMED to find the closest testing center near you.