What are Coronavirus Long Term Effects?

What are Coronavirus Long Term Effects

Even though we are adjusting to the so-called “new normal,” the impact of coronavirus’s long-term effects is still in the process of identification and understanding.

Before Covid-19, the earlier scourge was severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Then, the World Health Organization (WHO) left around 40% of the infected with chronic fatigue symptoms.

Covid-19 signs and symptoms

Survivors reported “persistent and significant impairment of exercise capacity during the SARS epidemic.” In addition, health workers report experiencing even more adverse impacts on their health.

Unfortunately, the same thing is happening to Covid-19 survivors.

In the United States, the Mayo Clinic says that most Covid-19 survivors, including those with a mild infection, continue to experience the symptoms long after their initial recovery. Those previous Covid-19 patients call themselves “long haulers” and the post-Covid-19 syndrome as “long Covid-19”,

Mayo Clinic outlines the most common signs and symptoms that may bother patients. These are:

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Joint pain
  • Chest pain

The other long-term signs and symptoms that may remain even long after their recovery include:

  • Muscle pain or headache
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Memory, concentration, or sleep problems
  • Rashes
  • Hair loss

Covid-19 and the eyes

The Covid-19 virus also causes discomfort in the eyes. As a result, retina and cornea consultants have urged people to watch out for eye-related complications after recovering from COVID-19.

To alleviate the lungs and other organs, some critically ill Covid-19 patients take steroids. Unfortunately, these patients are at risk of developing steroid-related complications and, thus, need a mandatory detailed eye examination.

Other possible problems are skin eruptions and excoriations involving the eyelid and surrounding area.

Patients may also experience secondary conjunctivitis-like symptoms like redness and discharge. In addition, pain and tingling sensations may also appear in and around the eyes.

Those who experience these blurring vision or recovery symptoms must go to an eye care clinic as soon as possible. Here are two of the respected eye care clinics in the United States and elsewhere.

Although COVID-19 is a disease that primarily affects the lungs, it can damage many other organs. This organ damage may increase the risk of long-term health issues.

Long-term effects of the disease

The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) admits that the long-term significance of the post-Covid effects is yet unknown. Therefore, the best thing, for now, is to adhere to the necessary precautions to prevent further spread.

The CDC reiterates extra attention to the different organ systems in the body that include these areas:

  • Cardiovascular: the inflammation of the heart muscle
  • Respiratory: abnormalities in the lung function
  • Renal: possible acute kidney injury
  • Dermatologic: rash or hair loss
  • Neurological: problems in smell and taste, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.
  • Psychiatric: including depression, anxiety, and mood changes.

In conclusion

The CDC assures that it is always ready to respond whenever an emergency occurs. However, prevention is the best way to prevent the long-term complications of Covid-19.

  • Young children and older people should continue to observe the health protocols, like wearing face masks and shields when going out.
  • Stay away at least six feet from other people.
  • Wash your hands frequently using soap, water, and alcohol is necessary.
  • Avoid crowds as well as confined or poorly ventilated places.