Long-Term Impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Long COVID, a condition characterized by persistent symptoms following recovery from the initial COVID-19 infection, can cause lasting physical and mental health effects. This article explores the current understanding of Long COVID, its symptoms, and available resources for patients.
Physical effects of Long COVID can be far-reaching, affecting multiple organs. People, particularly those who had severe COVID-19, may experience complications in the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, and brain. These complications can lead to new or worsening conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, blood clots, neurological disorders, and post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), which includes muscle weakness, cognitive difficulties, and symptoms of PTSD.
Mentally, Long COVID is associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. These issues are linked to sustained neuro-inflammation and potential neurovascular damage caused by the virus. In children and adolescents, Long COVID can cause significant deterioration in quality of life and mental health, with symptoms such as mood disturbances, headaches, and cognitive difficulties.
Research suggests that repeated COVID infections increase the risk of Long COVID, which may even contribute to brain degeneration similar to Alzheimer’s disease.
To address the challenges posed by Long COVID, various resources and research programs have been established. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on Long COVID symptoms and guidance for patients to talk with healthcare providers about ongoing symptoms and complications. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds the RECOVER initiative, which extensively researches Long COVID, having published findings about higher risk groups and the wide range of symptoms experienced.
Mental health support resources and specialized care clinics are increasingly available to assist people with Long COVID symptoms, reflecting the recognized impact on both physical and mental health. Examples of these clinics include the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic at Penn Medicine, the Center for Post-COVID Care at the Mount Sinai Health System, and the COVID-19 Follow-up Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco.
Online support groups can help people understand that they are not alone and provide a platform for talking through experiences. Examples include Body Politic's COVID-19 Support Group, Survivor Corps, COVID-19 Support, Long COVID Support, and others.
It is important to note that the precise biological mechanisms of Long COVID are still being studied, and treatment options remain somewhat limited, especially for mental health symptoms in children. Ongoing research is critical to fully characterize Long COVID and develop targeted interventions.
Approximately 10-20% of people who have recovered from severe SARS or MERS have long-term lung abnormalities. Symptoms of "long COVID" can include extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, trouble concentrating, mood changes, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, a loss of taste and smell, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations, the new onset of diabetes or high blood pressure, and skin rashes.
For anyone struggling with anxiety, grief, or depression, a doctor, therapist, or another mental health professional can help. If you are experiencing new or persistent symptoms following recovery from COVID-19, contact a doctor, and if needed, perform diagnostic tests to check for complications.
In summary, Long COVID is a complex, multi-system condition with lasting physical and mental health impacts. Patients experiencing persistent symptoms are encouraged to seek medical care, and programs like the CDC guidance and the NIH’s RECOVER initiative provide current resources and ongoing research to better understand and manage these long-term effects.
- Long COVID, following recovery from the initial COVID-19 infection, can cause long-term physical and mental health effects, including brain fog, depression, anxiety, and disrupted sleep.
- Research has found that repeated COVID infections may contribute to brain degeneration similar to Alzheimer’s disease, which is a chronic neurological condition.
- Mental health support resources and specialized care clinics, such as the Post-COVID Assessment and Recovery Clinic at Penn Medicine, are increasingly available to aid people experiencing Long COVID symptoms.
- Online support groups, like Body Politic's COVID-19 Support Group, can provide a platform for individuals to share experiences and navigate their mental health challenges related to Long COVID.
- If someone is experiencing new or persistent symptoms following recovery from COVID-19, it is essential to contact a doctor and perform diagnostic tests to check for possible mental health complications and other chronic diseases like asthma or MS.
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