It’s true that many COVID-19 patients experience mild symptoms and go on to recover in a normal time frame. However, not all patients are so lucky, and there are several COVID-19 survivors who continue to have debilitating side effects for weeks — or even months — after the virus has left their system. Several patients have even had to return to the hospital with serious, sometimes life-threatening illnesses. Experts have deemed these patients “long-haulers,” and believe they are suffering from what’s called “Post-COVID 19 Syndrome.”
According to a recent study, 55% of patients who recovered from COVID-19 still experience long-term side effects. These side effects range from mild concentration issues to severe, permanent lung and liver damage.
Pulmonologist Dr. Brian Williams says that people just don’t recognize that the virus can cause permanent effects, and that vital organs can be damaged. “They think it’s a little bit of a cold, they will get it and get it over with. But they don’t realize the long term side effects can happen with this virus more so than we ever had,” he said.
Post-Covid 19 Syndrome can show up in a variety of symptoms, some mild and some more serious. Reported side effects include:
- shortness of breath
- permanent lung scarring
- chronic fatigue
- muscle pain
- insomnia
- liver & kidney damage
- brain fog
- difficulty concentrating
- prolonged loss of smell or taste
- joint pain
- strokes
Just like most things surrounding this virus, research on Post-Covid 19 Syndrome is still limited and so much is not known. Experts are still working to determine which age groups are most affected, why the virus damages organs and how it does so. It’s suggested that factors like inflammation and scarring are to blame for damage to organs and systems like the circulatory system, kidneys, digestive system, brain, and liver. Those with pre-existing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure are certainly at more risk of developing serious complications, but even healthy patients have had to be hospitalized. According to Dr. Williams, there have been patients of all ages affected by the syndrome so far. Young patients with no pre-existing conditions have appeared at clinics to get rehabilitation, and some patients only had mild cases of COVID-19.
Unfortunately, because the virus is still actively surging throughout the U.S., most doctors are on the front lines trying to save lives. This means that research is currently lagging, and long-term effects has taken a back seat to the initial infection. Dr. Williams says that doctors still don’t know much about how to treat the long-term side effects, but they are learning each day. He advises patients still experiencing symptoms to pick up healthy habits in the meantime, including eating a balanced diet.
He urges the public to take note, however, that COVID-19 can cause long-term organ damage.