As per the recent data, the Covid-19 symptoms can persist in people for months even after the infection is gone. Generally, most people infected with coronavirus disease recover within 2-6 weeks, but sometimes there can be lasting symptoms. It can be mild or completely asymptomatic while the lasting period for the virus in the body varies from person to person depending on the exposure to the virus and severity of infection. Apart from the physical impacts of the virus, the patients may also have mental health issues. Due to the long-term effects of the Covid-19, people may experience Post-Covid Complications, requiring rehabilitation after staying in the hospital.
What is Long Covid or Post Covid Syndrome?
Most people who develop Covid-19 recover within a few days or weeks while some make a full recovery within 12 weeks. But sometimes, the symptoms can last longer. People may experience mild symptoms after recovery, known as Post Covid Syndrome or Long Covid and they can further develop long-term complications that affect the organs. The long-term symptoms of Covid don’t depend on how ill the person was when first getting Covid-19.
Who Is At Risk Of Developing Post-covid Complications?
The following people are more prone to develop long Covid:
- People with old age group
- Having serious medical conditions, such as Diabetes
- Immunity disorders
- Cancer
- Any type of chronic disease etc.
What Are The Causes Of Post-covid Syndrome Or Long Covid?
Currently, researchers are not sure of the causes related to the long-term effects of the Covid-19 but as per the latest research, the possible long covid causes which are noticed in recovered from Covid-19 patients include the following:
- Weakened immune system
- Reinfection of the virus
- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS)
- Longer stay in hospital in case of severity
- Post-traumatic stress etc.
What Are The Long-term Effects Of Long Covid? Symptoms And Complications:
Since Covid-19 is a new disease, scientists are not able to find its effects months or years after getting ill for the first time. However, they have explained that the virus is responsible for the disease ie. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may cause similar effects to other coronaviruses, for example, those that cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
According to a study in 2020, around 30% of people who recovered from severe SARS or MERS noticed long-term lung issues while a 2009 study found that around 40% of people who recovered from SARS experienced chronic fatigue about some years later. Though SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 are caused by viruses from the same family, there are some differences among them.
In Mild Or Moderate Cases
There are several symptoms of Long Covid or Post Covid Syndrome that can last from 7 days to 28 days after the person first being infected with the virus or they can also appear weeks after recovery. The symptoms can occur in a person who recovered from Covid-19 or can be asymptomatic, having mild, moderate, severe, or crucial symptoms.
People with mild or moderate Covid-19 may notice these symptoms:
- Body pain, joint pain, or headache
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble in concentrating
- Loss of taste or smell
- Mood swings
- Sleeping issues
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing or chest pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Complexities in focusing or thinking or lack of mental clarity
- Sore throat
- Swallowing issues
- Insomnia, anxiety disorder, or depression
- Skin rashes
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness while sitting or lying down etc.
These symptoms may last for weeks or months even after the recovery from the virus.
In Severe Cases
As per the study, people around 10-15% with the virus infection may experience severe symptoms, and around 5% can become severely ill. People with more severe illnesses may be more likely to experience complications. Although Covid-19 is considered a disease that primarily affects the lungs, it can have a crucial impact on other organs as well. Organ damage can further increase the risk of long-term health issues. In severe cases, the Covid-19 complications include:
- Lungs - It was founded by an August 2020 study that people with severe Covid-19 experienced symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis, a form of lung damage. While some people can face long-term breathing issues.
- Heart - The data of around 20–30% of people who were hospitalized with Covid-19 demonstrate the signs of complexities in heart muscles due to the illness. Researchers explained that the Covid-19 disease may cause myocarditis, inflammation of this muscle.
- Nervous System - According to a report, people with severe Covid-19 symptoms were more prone to develop neurological manifestations, for example, dizziness, nerve pain, and impaired consciousness, etc.
- Brain - Many reports show that people with Covid-19 experienced neurological symptoms. For example, muscle weakness, paralysis, sudden blackout, or stroke, etc.
- Kidney - Patients infected with the disease can further cause loss of kidney function, known as acute kidney injury. In severe cases, dialysis is necessary.
Though, doctors are unsure of the effects of these complications in people in the long run. However, patients who were hospitalized and required mechanical ventilation may experience other issues as well. Here they are as follows:
- Chipped teeth
- injured vocal cords
- Infection
- Hypoxia
- Heart rhythm issues
In the case of Post-acute Covid-19 syndrome, people affected with Covid-19 infection and even after recovery may experience the following complications apart from other post COVID symptoms including:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) - Discomfort in the chest with or without dyspnea, nausea, and diaphoresis
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - a blood clot is formed in a deep vein
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Neurological issues such as stroke, weakened muscles, or numbness in the hands.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) complexities - Loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, or discomfort.
- Hemothorax
- Fungal infections such as mucormycosis, aspergillosis, yellow fungus, etc.
SARS-CoV-2 can further cause severe complications like inflammation that can affect the immune system that heals an injury by making a blood clot. Due to this, other parts of the body also get affected such as lungs, kidneys, liver, heart & legs, etc. The coronavirus can also weaken blood vessels while people recovered from Covid-19 may develop chronic fatigue syndrome that affects physical or mental activity. The long-term effects of the virus are difficult to anticipate, doctors are trying to figure out what makes symptoms lasting for long periods in patients after recovery.
Mental Health Effects
The Covid-19 pandemic is also showing its effects on people’s mental health. Many people are experiencing an increase in stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues. Following are the factors that can contribute to the mental health complexities including:
- Loss of employment
- Financial issues
- Isolation and loneliness
- Severe or long term illness
- Previous mental or physical health conditions etc.
Diagnosis of Long Covid
If any person is experiencing any symptoms post-Covid, there is no necessity to check again. To diagnose, the physicians may conduct a complete medical history and previous Covid treatment report. In addition to checking temperature, blood pressure, and breathing, doctors may also require the following tests to evaluate the severity of the symptoms:
- Complete blood evaluation
- Kidney & liver functionality tests
- ECG, Chest X-ray, or CT Scan
- Serum Electrolytes
- Complete urine evaluation etc.
Treatment of Long Covid Or Post Covid Syndrome
The physicians or doctors will consult with the patients about the care & support they need. Apart from moderately or severely people with SARS-CoV-2, people having mild symptoms or recovered from Covid-19 at home can also have the symptoms of long covid. That’s why every person should be attentive in reducing the risks of getting infected.
The treatment includes:
- Controlling patient’s symptoms
- Reviewing underlying health issues
- Improving functional capability
- Breathing exercises boost immunity, lower stress, and anxiety.
- Improve blood oxygen level
- Healthy sleeping habits through yoga, and a balanced diet, etc.
Precautions To Take After Recovery
Since the virus weakens the immune system, doctors recommend staying hydrated and drinking plenty of liquids. Patients are advised to practice meditation, get enough sleep, avoid alcohol and smoking, etc. Apart from this, people who recovered from Covid-19 and have co-morbidities, for example, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or other chronic medical conditions are advised to prefer their pre-covid medication.
When to Seek Medical Help?
Any person who is experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms after getting recovered should call specialists immediately. Doctors can perform diagnostics tests to evaluate complications. If a person is experiencing any of these symptoms, they should medical help, such as:
- Chest pain
- Shortage of breathing
- Lips discoloration - they may appear blue or grey or white
- Inability to stay awake
- Rapid weight loss or gain
For any person suffering from anxiety or depression, immediate medical help is necessary.
