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Long COVID could be longer and worse, claims study

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Jan 24, 2023, 16:00 IST

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Recent study raises alarm over COVID cases

According to a recent study, the effects of prolonged COVID or post-COVID conditions (PCC) are more severe than previously considered. In a recent study, a team of experts from the United States estimated that tens of millions of people around the world experience the signs and symptoms of long-term COVID.

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What is long COVID?

According to the World Health Organization, PCC is characterised by the onset or persistence of COVID symptoms three months following a Sars-CoV-2 infection, with symptoms lasting at least two months and not being accounted for by any other diagnosis. Common symptoms include exhaustion, breathlessness, and cognitive impairment. These symptoms can alter or return over time.

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What does the study say?

The study was carried out by two researchers from the Patient-Led Research Collaborative and two others from La Jolla, California's Scripps Research Translational Institute. It concluded that there is a hike in the number of long COVID cases. Even three months later, at least one of the 3 primary long COVID symptoms was present among the COVID infected patients.

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A big jump in long COVID cases:

They concluded that 65 million patients, or 10% of the 651 million confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide, have long COVID. They cited additional research that claimed 10 to 30% of non-hospitalized coronavirus cases would experience longterm COVID. For hospitalised cases, the rate rose to 50% to 70%.

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Symptoms of long COVID:

Fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction are common symptoms of long COVID, and they may change or recur over time. Headache, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly (often referred to as "brain fog"), and feeling lightheaded when you stand up are other long term symptoms one may experience even after COVID recovery.

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The takeaway:

The authors of the study claimed that additional thorough research, public awareness campaigns, policies, and financial support were required to provide an adequate response to the protracted COVID epidemic.

The authors declared, "We need research that expands on the body of knowledge and takes into account patient experience, training, and education for the workforce in healthcare and research.

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​Long COVID could be longer and worse, claims study

​Recent study raises alarm over COVID cases​

​What is long COVID? ​

​What does the study say? ​

​A big jump in long COVID cases: ​

​Symptoms of long COVID: ​