In most of the cases, people who develop coronavirus disease may recover within 2 – 6 weeks, but some might experience long lasting symptoms. Others with severe COVID-19 may develop complications. This would require rehabilitation after a hospital stay, or both. Additionally, other than the physical impact of COVID-19, people may also experience changes in their mental health. So, there can be many long term effects of COVID-19. And, it is important to be aware considering there is an anticipation of 3rd wave of COVID.
Let us Find Out More About the Long Term Effects of COVID-19:-
Who are at Higher Risk of Developing Serious Illness from COVID-19?
According to the medical experts, older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
Why are Older People at Significant Risk of COVID-19?
Older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the COVID disease due to physiological changes that comes with ageing and potential underlying health conditions. However, all the age groups are at significant risk of contracting COVID-19.
What Should We Know about the Long-term Effects of COVID-19?
Patients who suffer from COVID-19 experience moderate illness that improves on its own. However, in some cases, people who have had a mild or moderate illness go on to develop lasting symptoms that can be severe even after recovery.
People with mild or moderate COVID-19 often experience extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, a low-grade fever, mood changes, headaches, a loss of taste and smell, and a sore throat. Usually, these symptoms may last for weeks or months after the body has cleared the virus. People with severe symptoms can also experience long COVID and may be more likely to experience post covid complications such as:-
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Breathing Issues after COVID-19
COVID-19 can produce scarring and other permanent problems in the lung. People with severe coronavirus are often discharged with signs of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Heart Problems after COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 infection can leave some people with heart problems. This includes inflammation of the heart muscle. According to a study, a vast majority of people who recovered from COVID-19 had signs of ongoing heart inflammation. This could lead to the common symptoms of shortness of breath, palpitations and rapid heartbeat.
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Autonomic Nervous System Symptoms after COVID-19
POTS is a medical condition that affects blood circulation. People who have survived COVID-19 may be more vulnerable to it. It can leave survivors with other neurologic symptoms, including continuing headache, fatigue, brain fog, difficulties in thinking or concentrating, and insomnia.
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Kidney Damage from COVID-19
If the coronavirus infection caused kidney damage, this can further enhance the risk of long-term kidney disease and the need for dialysis.
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Loss of Smell and Taste after COVID-19
Since the coronavirus can affect cells in the nose, having COVID-19 can result in altered or lost senses of smell or taste. Hence, it is possible that before and after people become ill with COVID-19, they might lose their sense of smell or taste.
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Diabetes after COVID-19
The relationship between COVID-19 and diabetes is complex. Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for serious cases of COVID-19. And, some survivors of the illness may develop type 2 diabetes signs after they recover from COVID-19.
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Mental Health Issues after COVID-19
After surviving COVID-19, depression and other mental health issues are common. Physical changes such as pain and weakness can be complicated by long periods of isolation, grief from the deaths of loved ones and the loss of good health.
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Summing up:-
The best way to avoid long term effects of COVID-19 is to prevent infection with the coronavirus in the first place and get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you. Also, you must maintain physical distance of at least six feet from people outside of your household; and practice careful hand hygiene.
If you are suffering from post covid complications, you must visit the best hospitals in Hyderabad for the suitable treatment.
For more information regarding the COVID vaccine and you can also book Covid vaccination in Hyderabad.
