The Long-Term Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 is a dreaded disease. It emerged without warning and shut down the entire world. Many of us have lost friends and family members to the pandemic, and people are still getting sick and dying.

Thanks to vaccines and a degree of herd immunity, COVID-19 is finally starting to decline. Sadly, many people who recovered from COVID-19 still struggle with lingering symptoms.

No one knows if the long-term COVID-19 symptoms will be permanent. Months after getting home from the hospital, some survivors are still feeling sick. They report chronic symptoms like weak lungs, and fatigue.

Here’s an overview of what we know about the long-term effects of COVID-19 and how we can fight back.

Long-term COVID-19 Symptoms

So, what are the long-term effects of COVID-19? Patients have complained about a variety of symptoms, from minor aches and pains to life-threatening strokes.

While this list is not complete, it will give you an idea of what “long-COVID” does to patients.

1. Neurological Problems

Neurological problems after infection with COVID-19 have been widely reported. Common complaints include brain fog, depression, and even memory loss. Symptoms may get worse after activity, so debilitation is rather severe.

2. Organ Damage

COVID-19 can cause organ problems, including permanent lung tissue damage and heart arrhythmias. Post-disease itching and rashes show that the damage is system-wide.

3. Loss of Smell and Taste

COVID-19 is especially difficult for foodies who lost their sense of smell after an infection. The ability to taste is closely related to our olfactory process. So, some patients find that the foods they used to love have lost their appeal.

4. Breathing Difficulties

Breathing difficulties are one of the worst long-term effects on covid survivors. Because the lung tissue is permanently damaged by COVID-19, recovered patients’ lungs may be working at less than 50%. They will need oxygen long after they get home from the hospital.

5. Racing Heartbeat

Heart palpitations are another common post-COVID-19 symptom. Palpitations create a feeling of pounding, racing, and thumping in the chest, and can be quite uncomfortable.

6. Body-wide Pain

COVID-19 survivors also complain about persistent muscle and joint pain. One possibility for this is that the virus triggers an autoimmune response, but the exact cause is still under investigation.

7. COVID-19 and Society

Finally, COVID-19’s most serious long-term symptom might be how it has impacted society. Many people found that their relationships with friends and families changed during the pandemic. People, too, are more safety-aware now.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, fever, or sudden stroke symptoms, go to your local emergency room immediately. Even if you aren’t sure if your symptoms are serious, it’s better to go.

Fight Back Against “Long-COVID”

Getting informed is one of the best ways to fight back against COVID-19 symptoms. Your local ER in Corpus Christi and doctor’s office are the best places to ask questions such as, “What are the long-term effects or symptoms resulting from COVID-19,” or “What are some common symptoms of post covid syndrome?”

Most cases of COVID-19 result in a quick, full recovery, but long-term symptoms are still emerging. Right now, the medical community is collecting data about “long COVID” as it responds to the pandemic.

Remember that common-sense safety precautions still matter, even if you’ve already over COVID-19. Wash your hands, mask up, keep your distance from others, and avoid crowded areas.

Working together, we can make COVID-19 a thing of the past and minimize its long-term impact.

Sources:

“Post-Covid Conditions,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8 April 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html

Van Kessel, Patrick, Chris Baronavski, Alissa Scheller, Aaron Smith, “In Their Own Words, Americans Describe the Struggles and Silver Linings of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Pew Research Center, 23 September 2020, https://www.pewresearch.org/2021/03/05/in-their-own-words-americans-describe-the-struggles-and-silver-linings-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/

“Stroke,” Mayo Clinic, 9 February 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113