We recently marked a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the US, and our knowledge about the effects of this virus continues to evolve. The general public has been educated about the common signs and symptoms of COVID, which have become household knowledge. But what of the potential long-term effects of COVID?
Because COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus, there has been little information available about how it may impact the body long-term. However, many researchers are currently studying this topic because of the growing body of people experiencing post-acute COVID syndrome, who are colloquially referred to as “COVID long-haulers”. The latest issue of the ASHA Leader contained two articles about this topic that shed some light on the research being done about the long-term effects of COVID.
“…people reported cognitive issues like memory loss that in many cases impaired their ability to work, have conversations with others, maintain medication schedules or drive”.
These articles each touched on the long-term symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection, which can range from respiratory problems to chronic fatigue to neurological issues, such as vertigo, confusion or brain fog (difficulty with concentration and memory). One article was quoted as saying, “…scientists have detected numerous microscopic blood clots – which can lead to strokes – in brains and organs of patients most severely affected by COVID-19”. The author goes on to say that “some investigators believe even some patients who had mild COVID could experience long-term effects”. One of the authors also reports that these effects are being seen across age groups, not just in older patients.
A recent article published in the NY Times, “Opinion: Long COVID is Not Rare. It’s a Health Crisis”, reports, “Approximately 30 percent of Covid patients in a new but small study from the University of Washington reported that symptoms persisted months after their infection. If confirmed on a bigger scale, this suggests that long Covid could be one of the largest mass disabling events in modern history”. Similar to what the ASHA Leader reported, the article goes on to say, “Eighty-eight percent of people reported cognitive issues like memory loss that in many cases impaired their ability to work, have conversations with others, maintain medication schedules or drive. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of these symptoms and their impact across age groups”.
The research shows that long-term effects of COVID are possible whether you are young or old, whether you suffered a mild or severe case of COVID. A snippet from a researcher at Northwestern University rings true to me and provides a beacon of light for the future. She stated, “Rehabilitation plays a vital role for improving the COVID-related impairments our patients are experiencing”. If you find yourself experiencing long-term symptoms well after your initial diagnosis and recovery, there is hope and care available.
Citations:
COVID Long-Haulers: An End in Sight? by Matthew Cutter, ASHA Leader Vol. 26, No. 2, March 2021