Effects Of Long Covid: All You Need to Know

It’s been over a year since the world was infected with the deadly Covid-19 virus. The virus has already claimed millions of lives all around the world.

Speaking of Covid-19, there is a new term called “long covid” that is getting viral. But what does long covid mean? Well, we are here to discuss the long covid condition and the effects it has on the human body.

What is long covid?

Long Covid is a new term that is used to explain the long-lasting effects of coronavirus in people who have recovered from the infection.

Many people who were infected, have experienced persistent symptoms and signs of acute covid infection. It includes both ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 syndrome.

If symptoms of Covid from 4 weeks up to 12 weeks it is called ongoing symptomatic Covid-19 infection. On the other hand, post-Covid syndrome refers to the symptoms that develop during or after infection and continue for over 12 weeks.

The symptoms can often fluctuate and change over time. It has the potential to affect any system in the human body.

Effects Of Long Covid

People experiencing long Covid are most likely to exhibit these symptoms. Here is a brief rundown of the effects of long Covid according to the system.

1. Respiratory issues

By now we already know that the Covid virus attacks the respiratory system. Even after the patient recovers from the infection, his/her lungs may not recover completely. The virus may have damaged the lung fibrosis and alveoli. Not just that, but it can also cause secondary infections such as tuberculosis. These respiratory issues are manifested as difficulty in breathing, and persistent cough. Other lung-related problems can also be seen in patients.

2. Damage to the nervous system and brain

In case, you were not aware of this, but Covid can also cause damage to certain areas of the brain. Damages are often manifested as stroke or paralysis. In the worst cases, it can even lead to death. This type of condition is observed in acute covid, which causes thrombus formation of blood vessels in the brain. Other brain issues that are witnessed include memory loss, seizures, convulsions, headache, brain fog, vertigo, etc.

For those who don’t have an idea, brain fog refers to a combination of symptoms that causes forgetfulness, confusion, and lack of concentration.

Besides brain cells, the infection may also bring damage to nerves. Lack of taste or sense of smell is very common in long covid. It can also cause inflammation of nerves called neuritis, which can lead to increased pain sensation all over the body. This is why Pain In COVID Patients is so common.

3. Digestion and liver problems

According to reports, 30% of Covid-19 patients have elevated liver enzymes and also suffer from liver inflammation. Sometimes these enzymes remain elevated even after the patient has recovered. It may take a long time before it comes back to normal range.

These types of patients may suffer from flatulence, dyspepsia, abdomen pain, indigestions, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. The problem is that these symptoms may stay longer and may get aggravated with the use of steroids.

4. Heart and vascular system problems

This is yet another serious issue with severe consequences faced by Covid-19 patients. The infection has the potential to damage the heart muscles or even cause inflammation known as cardiomyopathy. The symptoms are chest pain, palpitation, shortness of breathing, etc.

Another problem is abnormal clotting that may block the coronary arteries and trigger a heart attack. This is very common in acute Covid cases, but can also be seen in long Covid. The viral infection can also damage other organs like the eye, kidney, brain, etc., due to blood vessel blockage. New-onset hypertension is another long-term symptom of Covid infection.

Covid-19 is a fast-spreading and deadly viral infection that has engulfed the entire world. To fight the virus and keep yourself protected, you must take all the precautions that are needed. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. It’s better to follow the Covid prevention rules from the beginning than to fall prey to the infection. Staying safe is in your hands.