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from
What are the long-term effects of COVID-19?March 08, 2021
[
www.eehealth.org]
Most people who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 recover within a few weeks without any lingering ill effects.
There is a group, unofficially known as “long-haulers,” who experience lingering health problems after they recover from the coronavirus infection.
For some, the symptoms can be life-altering. Researchers have found that about one-third of people who recover from COVID-19 had lingering symptoms three weeks after they first became ill, and that 50 to 80 percent of people experience symptoms three months later, even after fighting off the virus.
Who becomes a long-hauler is unpredictable, as many people who experience long-term symptoms had mild or moderate cases of COVID-19.
In general, the long-term effects of COVID-19 can vary. The most common lingering symptoms include:
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Cough
Joint pain
Chest pain
Some people have reported other long-term symptoms, including:
Difficulty with thinking and concentration (sometimes called “brain fog”)
Depression
Muscle pain
Headache
Intermittent fever
Heart palpitations
While COVID-19 first affects lung function, some people have reported serious lingering symptoms that affect other body organs, including:
Cardiovascular: inflammation of the heart muscle
Respiratory: lung function abnormalities
Renal: acute kidney injury
Dermatologic: rash, hair loss
Neurological: smell and taste problems, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, memory problems
Psychiatric: depression, anxiety, mood changes
Some people with pre-existing dental conditions reported gum sensitivity and even losing teeth after they recovered from COVID-19.
Unfortunately, it’s not clear why the symptoms remain after recovery from a COVID-19 infection, and it’s too early to know how long they’ll linger.
In the meantime, healthcare providers are doing their best to treat the symptoms and support long-haulers in their recovery.
The best way to manage the symptoms is to check in with your primary care physician regularly and track your symptoms. If needed, seek emergency care.
