Study finds two symptoms of long COVID that could persist for 9 months
Even when COVID-19 cases have declined and most patients are reporting mild symptoms, the possibility of long COVID is still high. Since studies have shown that even a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause long COVID, experts have warned against undermining mild symptoms and urged people to take necessary measures.
For those of you, who are still unaware of the term long COVID, it is a condition that occurs in people who have had a COVID-19 infection and continue to experience lingering symptoms long after their recovery.
Up until now, several long term symptoms have come to the fore. However, research is still ongoing and scientists continue to work towards identifying new and unusual symptoms associated with the condition, so as to develop targeted treatments.
The Study
A recent study published in the Journal of Infection worked towards establishing 'residual symptoms' of COVID-19 that could last for several months after infection.
The study involved 465 symptomatic COVID patients (54% males, 51% hospitalised) aged over 18 years. The group of participants had tested positive for COVID-19 at Verona University Hospital, Italy, during the period February 29 to May 2, 2020.
The researchers found that 37% of the participants displayed at least four symptoms and 42% reported symptoms lasting for more than 28 days. In addition, 20% of the patients were still asymptomatic at month nine with two classic COVID symptoms. Read on to find out what they are.
Also read: Coronavirus: Is a headache without a fever a COVID-19 symptom?
Fatigue and breathlessness
Several studies have indicated that COVID can lead to long lasting fatigue. According to a review published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 46% of patients report fatigue weeks and months after recovery. The same review highlighted that in the majority of COVID-19 cohort studies, persistent fatigue was reported by 13% to 33% of people 16–20 weeks post-symptom onset.
The recent study published in the Journal of Infection found that apart from fatigue, breathlessness was also a common long lasting symptom in about 20% of the participants, prevalent 9 months after recovery. Studies in the past have also linked long term breathlessness with heart damage.
Psychological distress
Additionally, the study noted that while 18% of patients did not return to optimal pre-Covid physical health, 19% reported psychological distress during the ninth month.
The researchers found that hospitalised patients and symptom persistence at day 28 and month nine were independent predictors of suboptimal physical health, whereas female gender and persistence of symptoms at day 28 and month nine were predictors for psychological distress.
Vigilance is key
Although COVID cases in most parts of the world has declined, taking precaution against the virus still remains crucial. Amid new emerging variants, there is no telling what the SARs-CoV-2 infection has in store for us. Wearing your masks, maintaining social distance and following proper hand hygiene is key. Those who are yet to receive their vaccination or are eligible for booster shots must receive it immediately.
Common long COVID symptoms to watch out for
Some of the most common long COVID symptoms apart from fatigue and breathlessness include:
- Cough
- Joint pain
- Chest pain
- Sleep problems
- Headache
- Brain fog
- Tingling sensation in the body
- Heart problems
Risk factors for long COVID
Apart from the symptoms and the duration of long COVID, the study also found certain risk factors that could tell who is more likely to develop the long term COVID condition.
According to the researchers, patients over 50 years requiring hospitalisation and showcasing four or more symptoms are likely to have persistent symptoms months after recovery.
The researchers said, ""Patients with advanced age, ICU stay and multiple symptoms at onset were more likely to suffer from long-term symptoms, which had a negative impact on both physical and mental wellbeing.
"This study contributes to identifying the target populations and long Covid consequences for planning long-term recovery interventions," they added.