Long-haul COVID (or post-COVID syndrome) is often interchangeable with Long COVID. This refers to symptoms that last longer than the two-week period for recovery from post-infection. What happens if COVID-19 symptoms persist? What are the long-term effects of a Covid infection? Some people can have lingering health issues that last for months after they recover from COVID-19. Most people experience mild or moderate COVID-19 for two weeks. Others may experience persistent health problems after the acute phase.
COVID long-haul symptoms: Cleveland Clinic sees these health issues most often:
These are some of the common signs and symptoms that can persist over time:
- Fatigue
- Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Joint pain
- Chest pain
- Memory, concentration and sleep problems
- Muscle pain, headache
- You can feel your heart beat pounding or fast.
- Persisting loss of taste or smell
- Anxiety or depression
- Fever
- Standing can cause dizziness
- After physical or mental activities, symptoms may worsen
COVID-19 patients often experience long-term long hauler syndrome and other symptoms. Long-term COVID sufferers have generally recovered from the worst coronavirus symptoms and have been tested negative. They may still experience COVID-19 symptoms.
The emergence of new viral variants continues to fuel successive coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) waves. Convalescents are becoming more aware of persistent, long-lasting, and often debilitating sequelae. These are called ‘post-COVID-19 Syndrome’ or ‘long haul COVID’.
Clinical symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea and memory problems. There are many organ systems that can be affected. We don’t know much about the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
Organ damage caused by COVID-19
COVID-19 can cause damage to many organs. The risk of developing long-term health problems may rise due to organ damage.
COVID-19 may affect the following organs:
- Heart
- Even in cases of mild COVID-19 symptoms, imaging tests have shown that there is permanent damage to the heart even after months of recovery. This could increase your risk of developing heart disease or other complications.
- Lungs
- Long-term damage to tiny air sacs in the lungs, known as alveoli, can result from the type of pneumonia that is often linked with COVID-19. This scar tissue can cause long-term breathing problems.
- Brain
COVID-19, even in young adults, can cause seizures, strokes and Guillain Barre syndrome (a condition that causes temporary paralysis). COVID-19 can also increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
After being infected by COVID-19, some adults and children develop multisystem inflammation syndrome. This condition causes severe inflammation of certain organs and tissues.
What are the symptoms of long-haulers?
Brigham states, “We are seeing a spectrum in symptoms after acute COVID-19. Some of these would be expected after other serious illnesses.” While some symptoms are minor, others may require ongoing care or readmission to the hospital. She also notes that patients with serious illnesses can have similar problems.
According to the CDC the most common symptoms that last are fatigue, shortness, chest pain, cough, joint pain, and pain in the joints. Other problems include cognitive problems, difficulty in concentrating, depression and muscle pain.
Long COVID survivors, also known as “long-haulers,” have persistent symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue. They may also experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, mental and cognitive impairments. The Johns Hopkins Post-Acute COVID-19 team works with patients to help them reclaim their lives.
Do not ignore your symptoms of loss of smell, anxiety, depression or insomnia. You should call your doctor if you have any symptoms that are affecting your daily life. They can help you to address them and improve your quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long COVID symptoms include a fast beating heart, pins and needles feeling, insomnia, mood changes, mood changes, and changes in menstrual periods.
COVID-19 is an intriguing disease. He said that it’s more than a virus that affects the body. There are immune and inflammatory mechanisms that affect the patient’s bodies.” The patient might initially be symptomatic but then develop symptoms such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and so forth.
Dr. Sanghavi stated that depression and anxiety are the two most prevalent mental health problems. The pandemic has presented many challenges for patients, both financial and personal. Add to that the recovery from COVID. “Brain fog is another symptom that you might notice,” he said, noting that patients with post-intensive care unit syndrome may also experience it.
He said that insomnia is another of the symptoms they have been discussing in interviews and surveys. The good news is that it seems to be lower in children than in adults.
Long-term workers often experience brain fog. Patients describe feeling unusually forgetful, confused, or unable to focus enough to watch television. Although it can occur in people who have been in the intensive care unit for some time, it is very rare. It can happen to anyone, even those not in a hospital.
Some people report feeling better for days, or even weeks, then feeling relapsed. Others feel that they don’t feel like themselves.
People who have COVID-19 for a long time are not well-known. Most long-term workers test negative for the virus. It is not possible to test for coronavirus symptoms that last. It doesn’t seem to differ in people with different variants of coronavirus, such as omicron and delta.
Patients with COVID-19 symptoms for long periods of time are often thought to have the virus in small amounts in their bodies. Another theory is that their immune systems continue overreacting even after the infection has ended.
Blood clots can also affect the kidneys, liver, legs, and lungs. COVID-19 may also cause blood vessels to weaken and leak, which can lead to long-term problems for the liver and kidneys.
Although much is still unknown about the effects of COVID-19 on people, research continues. Doctors should closely monitor patients who have had COVID-19 in order to determine how their organs function after recovery.
The CDC continues to investigate post-COVID symptoms and who is most at risk. It also examines why certain symptoms may improve over time and last for longer periods of time for others. To further study post-COVID disorders in greater detail, rapid and multi-year studies have been initiated. These studies will allow us to better understand post-COVID conditions, and help patients who suffer from these long-term effects.
Blood clots, blood vessel problems
COVID-19 may increase the likelihood of blood cells clumping and forming clots. Although large clots can lead to strokes and heart attacks, most of the damage done by COVID-19 to the heart is thought to be caused by small clots. These small clots block the blood vessels or capillaries in the heart.
The lungs, liver, kidneys, and legs are just a few of the other parts that can be affected by blood clots. COVID-19 can also weaken blood vessels, causing them to leak. This could lead to long-term problems for the liver and kidneys.
Problems with fatigue, mood
Patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms often need to be admitted to an ICU. They will require mechanical assistance such as ventilators to breath. Just by surviving, a person can be more susceptible to developing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
It’s hard to predict the long-term outcome of COVID-19. Scientists are now studying the long-term effects of related viruses such as the coronavirus, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Many people who have suffered from SARS have developed chronic fatigue syndrome. This is a condition that causes extreme fatigue and can be worsened by physical or mental activity. People who have been infected by COVID-19 may experience the same thing.
How long can COVID-19 long-term last?
Covid-19 effects Still unknown
Although much is still unknown about the effects of COVID-19 on people, research continues. To monitor the health of people infected by COVID-19, researchers recommend that they be closely monitored by their doctors to assess how their organs are responding after recovery. Many major medical centers have opened specialized clinics for patients with persistent symptoms or other related illnesses following their recovery from COVID-19. There are also support groups.
COVID-19 is a common infection that can be quickly treated, however, COVID-19 can cause serious health problems and long term effects. The long term effects and why some people are effected are still unknown. Some reported effects after infection. Others have recovered and later relapsed again into symptoms. There is much research needed to investigate the long term effects of Covid. Some patients have reported a quick recovery while others have dealt with symptoms for months on end. Taking precautions to prevent infection and reduce its spread are critical.
What Can You Do About Your Long Haul Symptoms?
Brandon Medical Center can assist you with Covid Long Haul symptoms. Contact us today at for an appointment with our Doctor to review your symptoms and health history.
You can find more information about long-haul Covid by clicking the links below.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html
https://www.kcra.com/article/post-covid-19-clinic-sacramento-helps-long-haulers/38822368
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hope-for-patients-with-post-covid-syndrome/
