Coronavirus effect: Signs and symptoms of long COVID, as per research studies

COVID and its long term effect, which is commonly referred as long COVID, have been worrying health experts. COVID is a communicable disease and not following the safety rules leads to a sudden surge in the number of cases. Long COVID condition arises weeks and months after the infection and affects several body parts.

The fact that COVID and its effect do not restrict within the respiratory system only makes it one of the worst infections mankind has seen till date.

Several research studies have worked on the effects of long COVID and what are the potential indicators that can help you know if you have the condition. Understanding these indicators will be extremely helpful in spotting the conditions and seeking medical and expert assistance at the earliest.

As per a research study, nearly 4 crore Indians are suffering from long COVID at present. Globally, this number stands at 14 crore.

While most cases arose from milder infections, the study says, there was no sign of recovery in more than 15% of these cases even 12 months after infection.

The study has revealed that women are suffering more from long COVID effects than men.

The study suggests that a substantial number of people with long COVID are in need of rehabilitative care and support to transition back into the workplace or education when symptoms start to wane.

Read: Study finds 11 distinct signs significantly associated with lung cancer

Various studies have pointed out several signs and symptoms associated with long COVID.

One study has found 84 long term effects of COVID with shortness of breath, fatigue and sleep disorders as the most common symptoms.

Apart from these, the other signs associated with long COVID are muscle pain, chest pain, faster heart beat and persistent cough.

Cognitive issues are also commonly seen in people months after recovering from COVID infection.

The other symptoms of long COVID as listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are: trouble in speaking, loss of smell and taste, fever, and conditions which hinder the individual's ability to perform daily activities properly.

Another visible sign of long COVID is complete exhaustion even after doing minimal physical activity like walking a few stairs.

Apart from these, the long COVID condition affects a person's major organs like heart, kidney, lungs, and stomach.

Signs of the existence of COVID in the form of long COVID is also seen in the skin as rashes, and on nails as weird unexplainable patterns as well.

There is no definite answer to this question as the effect of long COVID depends on the person's immunity and other health complications.

While in some studies the patients have recovered within weeks, some other studies find that people who have long COVID still show the same symptoms even after a year.

This proves that long COVID intensity varies from individual to individual.