The long-term effects of Covid are surfacing among people who have recovered from the disease. As we know, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world to its knees, and this claim is not even an exaggeration.
Most countries around the world are experiencing the second wave of Covid-19 and preparing for the arrival of the third wave.
Some people who have been treated for Covid are now facing a new struggle. This situation raises an important question, “Will the Covid-19 symptoms be with us all our lives?”
Let’s dive deeper and understand the causes of long-term effects of Covid and how to prevent it.
Before we do this, keep in mind not every testing site will provide you with accurate results. We offer you quick Rapid Antigen test and PCR test results in a short time.
What is Post Covid or Long Covid?
The recovery period for people with Covid-19 infection is up to one to two weeks. When people experience Covid symptoms or lingering health problems even after recovering from the disease, this condition is known as Long Covid or Long Haul.
People experiencing such situations are called ‘Long Haulers.’ If you think you are experiencing the side effects of Covid 19 even after being treated for it, you should consult your physician.
People who didn’t experience symptoms of Covid-19 during its infection may also go through the after-effects of Covid. These long-lasting effects of Covid may also lead to long-term complications that will affect organs.
The health complications surfacing can be new, ongoing, or the same issues the patient faced during the Covid infection. There is a high probability of these recurring health issues affecting your mental health. It is vital to consult your physician and take medications about health complications.
The condition of Long Covid can affect anyone who has been infected with Covid-19 and recovered from it earlier. It is also seen in patients who were hospitalized and patients with mild symptoms as well.
The long-term effects of Covid can be seen in older people and people with severe medical conditions. Recent data also suggests that young people who recover from Covid-19 may feel unwell months after being treated with Covid.
Causes of Covid 19 long term effects
There is no factual claim about the cause for long-term Covid effects on patients who recover from Covid-19. Recent reports suggest that the cause of Covid after-effects in patients recovered from Covid-19 infections are as follows:
- Post-traumatic stress – It may lead to severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts.
- Prolonged hospitalization due to severity – Prolonged hospitalization may lead to lingering effects of Covid.
- Reduced response from the immune system.
- Reinfection of the virus – There are fewer cases of people catching the Covid virus again.
- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS)
Symptoms of Long Haulers
Not everyone experiences the symptoms of long covid. Even the signs are inconsistent among long haulers. For some, it may be the same health issues they faced when they were infected with Covid-19. Others may experience new health issues as a symptom of the post-Covid syndrome.
- Coughing
- Continuous and debilitating fatigue
- Having difficulty in sleeping
- Prolonged Headaches
- Brain Fog
- Body aches and pain
- Joint pain
- Shortness of breath – Finding it harder to breathe and feeling like you are running out of oxygen to inhale.
- Loss of taste and smell may occur even if the patient didn’t experience it when infected with the virus that causes Covid-19.
Brain Fog is a common symptom in long haulers. Patients report being unable to concentrate on a specific task. They are usually quite forgetful and visibly confused most of the time. Such cases are prominent among those who were in the intensive care unit. But we can’t generalize it as we can find such cases in a variety of patients.
What are the long-term effects of Covid?
Covid-19 is a new disease, and the research into its short-term and long-term impact is ongoing. CDC confirms that one of the most common and lasting symptoms are shortness of breath, fatigue, joint pain, cough, and chest pain.
These symptoms resurface and last for months after being treated for Covid-19. Similarly, other issues such as rapid heartbeat, cognitive problems, difficulty focusing on simple tasks, muscle pain, depression, long-lasting headache, and intermittent fever resurface.
The long-term effects of Covid may vary depending on whether the patients suffered from a mild or a severe case of Covid.
Let’s look into the long-term effects of Covid 19 in both cases.
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Long-Lasting effects of Covid 19 in mild to moderate cases
Many people have suffered from a mild to moderate case of Covid-19, and they got better independently. Other patients with a mild to moderate illness develop long-lasting symptoms even after getting better from the Covid infection. These lasting symptoms can sometimes be severe and put their health at risk.
Following are the lasting effects of Covid-19 in mild to moderate cases of Covid infection:
- Memory lapse – People seem to have difficulty remembering and recalling things.
- Fatigue – Patient experiences extreme fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Fever
- Difficulty or trouble in concentrating on simple tasks.
- Mood change
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Constant headaches
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat leading to difficulty in swallowing
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rashes on the body
- Pain in the chest
- New onset of high blood pressure and diabetes
These are health problems that patients experience even after getting better from the Covid infection. It can happen to young people as well as people with pre-existing health conditions.
Lasting effects of Covid 19 in severe cases
People who develop severe cases of Covid-19 infection are more prone to experiencing long Covid. These health complications can lead to damage in such patients.
Following are the lasting effects of Covid-19 in severe cases of Covid infection:
- Lungs – Lung damage is a long-term effect seen in patients with severe cases of Covid -19 infection. Pulmonary fibrosis is the type of lung damage that can cause long-term breathing difficulties in patients.
- Heart – Heart muscle is also affected by the long-term effect of Covid. Inflammation of this muscle is also a speculated effect of Covid.
- Nervous system – Neurological problems such as impaired consciousness, nerve pain, and dizziness are likely long-term effects on severe cases.
Hospitalized people during Covid infection may need ongoing support and rehabilitation after getting better from Covid. It will help people who recover from Covid-19 and have long-term effects.
Covid long term effects on mental health: Covid and mental health
Mental health is an essential aspect of the overall health of a patient. You cannot neglect covid and mental health as it is vital for the well-being of every person, including recovered Covid patients.
The pandemic has a massive effect on the mental health of the general population and Covid infected patients. Stress from the loss of a job, financial difficulties, and grief of the death of loved ones can have a massive effect on one’s mental health.
Sleep disturbances, anxiety, stress, and depression are some of the after-effects on patients who have survived Covid. An extended period of isolation with physical pain and weakness can be critical to covid mental health.
Recovering from such devastating effects on mental health can also be tricky and complicated. Hospitalized patients particularly face a challenging recovery process. Covid survivors who have spent time in ICU recovering from Covid may be at high risk for physical and cognition recovery.
Refer to the following list of factors contributing to long term effects on mental health:
- Loneliness and Isolation
- Loss of employment and struggling to work
- Financial struggles
- Long-lasting illness
- Pre-existing physical or mental health conditions
- Grief
These factors have a long-lasting effect on people who recover from Covid-19.
Prevention of Long Covid
According to the CDC, the best way to steer clear of post-Covid conditions is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Get Covid vaccine if you have had Covid or are experiencing a post-Covid condition as well. Follow safety precautions to prevent long-term complications and protect yourself from Covid.
Conclusion
Research regarding the long-term effect of Covid is still ongoing. From what CDC tells us, the lingering effects of Covid have a drastic impact on people who recover from Covid. The resurfacing health issues in people who recover from Covid are harmful to your health. There is no accurate data as to how long these lingering effects of Covid will last in your body. Get the Covid vaccine to save yourself from the long-lasting effects of this infection.
Frequesntly Asked Questions
The immune system is at its lowest due to the Covid infection. Make sure to take extra care of your immunity by staying hydrated, practicing breathing, exercising meditation, getting adequate sleep, and eating healthy food. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. People who recover from Covid-19 must continue their ongoing medication. Always consult your physician before taking or continuing any medicines.
Organ damage is one of the long-lasting effects of Covid among people who have recovered from the infection. Keep an eye out and follow up with your doctor to check the organ functionality post-recovery. Mental and physical rehabilitation can provide you with post-Covid care support. People with persisting symptoms can visit the hospital to treat their long-term Covid effects.
Covid’s 19 long-term effects can resurface after a few weeks or months of recovering from Covid. Consult your doctor once you start experiencing the long-term effects mentioned in the blog above.
The doctor will help you assess the symptoms and perform some tests to check for complications. If someone is experiencing the following Covid-19 symptoms, then they should immediately consult their doctor.
- Breathing difficulty
- Pain in the chest or pressure
- A bluish discoloration on the lips
- Inability to stay awake
- Rapid weight gain or loss
If someone is suffering from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or grief, they must see a therapist or a doctor. Mental health issues are also one of the long-term Covid effects.
Covid-19 affects the respiratory tract of patients. Avoid any habit that affects the respiratory system. Smoking tobacco has a drastic effect on the lung as it reduces the lungs capacity. It also reduces the risk of respiratory infections. Smokers should stop smoking if they have Covid-19 as it may increase the severity of the disease.
Smoking compromises the lung’s function, and Covid-19 attacks the lungs. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing long-term effects of Covid. They are also prone to developing severe Covid-19 outcomes.
To prevent long-term Covid-19, you must stay safe. Practice social distancing and follow all safety measures to protect yourself from Covid and curb the spread of the disease.
Understand the severe nature of the Covid infection, its symptoms, and the long-term effects of Covid 19. Please wash your hands with water and soap and when it’s not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer. Whenever you are around people, wear a face mask.
Getting Covid-19 vaccination will prevent you from getting the Covid infection. It will also highly decrease your chances of developing long-term Covid-19. People who got better from Covid infection and those experiencing long-term effects of Covid can also take the vaccine.
