Long-COVID syndrome
The COVID-19 virus can damage the lungs, the heart and the brain. If this happens, the risk of long-term health problems increases. It is now clear that in some people the disease's symptoms can persist for months even if the illness itself was almost asymptomatic. This cluster of symptoms has already been given a name: doctors refer to it as post-COVID or Long-COVID syndrome […]
The COVID-19 virus can damage the lungs, the heart and the brain. If this happens, the risk of long-term health problems increases. It is now clear that in some people the disease's symptoms can persist for months even if the illness itself was almost asymptomatic. This cluster of symptoms has already been given a name: doctors refer to it as post-COVID or Long-COVID syndrome. So what is it about?
The majority of people who have had the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recover completely within a few weeks. However, in some cases — even in those who experienced a mild form of the disease — symptoms persist long-term after the initial recovery. These cases are described as "slow to recover", while the condition is called post-COVID-19 syndrome or "Long COVID-19."
Some studies suggest that only about 10% of COVID cases develop into post-COVID syndrome. Other studies report much higher percentages — some claim persistent symptoms may occur in up to 70% of cases.
Older people and those with multiple chronic conditions are most likely to experience prolonged COVID-19 symptoms, but even young, otherwise healthy people can feel unwell for weeks to months after infection.
The most common signs and symptoms of Long-COVID
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Joint pain
- Chest pain
Other possible symptoms include:
- Muscle pain or headache
- Fast or racing heartbeat
- Loss of smell or taste
- "Brain fog" — memory and concentration problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Rashes
- Hair loss
COVID-19 can damage certain organs
COVID-19 primarily affects the lungs, but it can also damage other organs, increasing the risk of long-term health problems.
Organs that can be affected by COVID-19 may include:
- Heart. Imaging studies performed months after recovery from COVID-19 have shown lasting damage to the heart muscle, even in people who had only mild symptoms. This may increase the future risk of heart failure or other cardiac problems.
- Lungs. The type of pneumonia commonly associated with COVID-19 can cause long-term damage to the lung's tiny air sacs (alveoli). The resulting scar tissue may lead to long-term breathing problems.
- Brain. COVID-19 can cause stroke, seizures and Guillain-Barré syndrome — a condition that causes temporary paralysis — even in young people. COVID-19 may also increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Blood clot formation and vascular problems
COVID-19 makes blood cells more likely to clump together and form clots. While large clots can cause heart attacks and strokes, much of the heart damage linked to COVID-19 likely results from very small clots that block the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the heart muscle.
Other body parts affected by clots include the lungs, legs, liver and kidneys. COVID-19 may also weaken blood vessels and cause leakage, which can contribute to potential long-term problems in the liver and kidneys.
Mood problems and fatigue
Severe COVID-19 often requires intensive hospital treatment, including mechanical ventilation. People who have experienced such severe illness and treatment are more likely to later develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
Because it is difficult to predict the long-term outcome of the new COVID-19 virus, scientists are examining the long-term effects of related viruses, such as the virus that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Many people who recovered from SARS developed chronic fatigue syndrome, a complex condition characterized by extreme fatigue that worsens with physical or mental activity and does not improve with rest. The same may be true for those who develop post-COVID conditions.
Many long-term effects of COVID-19 are still unknown
Much remains unknown about how COVID-19 affects people in the long term. However, researchers recommend that treating physicians closely monitor their patients who have had COVID-19 and regularly check the function of the organs mentioned.
Hospitals — as Heim Pál Hospital has already done — should now establish dedicated units to help people suffering from Long-COVID symptoms or related conditions.
It is also important to know that most people who get COVID-19 recover quickly. It is not possible to predict in advance who will develop long-term problems after COVID-19. This makes it even more important to reduce the risk of catching the virus through personal precautions. Wearing a mask, avoiding crowds and keeping hands clean are basic measures.
Read my article on the treatment principles of post-COVID syndrome.
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