The coronavirus disease can be a mild illness for many people, with symptoms such as pain, cough, fatigue, and loss of smell and taste. However, in one out of five cases, the illness may persist and lead to what is known as “Long Covid.” A recent study analyzed the records of 4,708 US adults who contracted the coronavirus between April 2020 and February 2023 and found that about one in five still had symptoms after three months. The study identified risk factors for Long Covid, such as being female or suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, the risk of Long Covid was lower in those who had been vaccinated against corona or had been infected with an early version of the omicron strain.
Dr. Elizabeth Olsner, an epidemiologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, emphasized the importance of the corona vaccine in reducing both the severity of the infection and the risk of long-term Covid. While certain health conditions and lifestyle factors were associated with longer recovery times, the study did not find a significant link to mental health problems despite the potential for Long Covid to affect brain functioning. By identifying these risk factors, researchers hope to mitigate the long-term effects of chronic corona phenomenon in future studies.
Long Covid is defined by symptoms that last more than 12 weeks and can vary in intensity. There are approximately 200 reported symptoms of Long Covid, including coughing shortness of breath fatigue muscle pain cognitive issues mental health challenges skin rashes diarrhea treatment options include physical therapy lung damage medication therapy monitoring specialty clinics neurological concerns blood clot risk prevailing theory is inflammatory processes triggered by corona virus invasion contribute development Long Covid management individual symptoms