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The coronavirus pandemic is moving the world and is occupying not only healthcare workers but also countless researchers who are trying to find out what impacts it can have on the human body. In many countries numerous studies are underway to examine the possible consequences of this disease and to help predict its further behavior and mutations. One of the studies dealing with this respiratory illness is the one tasked with defining the changes occurring in the organism after successful recovery. It seems that complete healing may never occur.
What can the long-term consequences be?
Scientists from Washington University addressed this question; they carried out an extensive study counting 87 000 patients with Covid-19 and more than 5 million control samples. Based on it they reached alarming conclusions that can, however, be very useful when it comes to prevention and more thorough care of recovered patients. The study showed that half a year after the diagnosis of coronavirus infection the risk of death among the observed patients was 60% higher than the general average, regardless of the severity of the disease course. From long-term observation it emerged that out of 1000 patients there are 8 deaths with post-Covid syndrome. Patients who have had a coronavirus infection should be monitored long-term due to the risk of developing post-Covid syndrome, which can result in severe organ damage or death.
Comparing it to the flu is denying the facts
In the early stages of the pandemic there were various attempts to downplay this disease. Some claimed that it was just another kind of flu and that treatment for the two illnesses is essentially identical. We now know that these claims were wrong and that the extent of damage to the body caused by Covid-19 is incomparable with the consequences of „ordinary“ flu. Certainly, both diseases have similar symptoms (dry cough, fever, shortness of breath), but the crucial difference is in the much higher share of severe courses in coronavirus infection, which results in a 30x – 40x higher probability of death. An undeniable fact is the unpredictability of SARS-CoV-2, because unlike the influenza virus, which primarily attacks the lungs and airways, this insidious disease can damage almost any organ in the body. After thorough analysis of diagnoses, treatment success and laboratory tests, experts managed to identify a number of main health problems that persisted in infected persons for up to half a year after contracting the disease.
What is post-Covid syndrome?
Essentially these are consequences caused by organ damage from coronavirus infection. Most often there is long-term involvement of the respiratory system, which manifests as shortness of breath, chronic cough and low oxygen saturation. The nervous system can also be affected, which presents as headaches, frequent forgetfulness, and disturbances of taste and smell. In rare cases a sudden stroke may occur. Mental disorders are not uncommon either, and can lead to depression and anxiety. Covid-19 can completely disrupt the entire metabolism, which can result in the development of autoimmune diseases (e.g., diabetes), the onset of obesity or high cholesterol. Regarding its connection with the most important organ in the body, heart failure, acute ischemic disease and arrhythmias are a risk. Post-Covid syndrome has also manifested as kidney failure at a stage requiring dialysis, blood clots in the limbs and in the lungs. Mild symptoms include fatigue, malaise, muscle and joint pain, diarrhea, constipation, rash and hair loss.
The study will continue
The research is particularly useful in drawing attention to possible complications and ways to prevent them. Thanks to the discovery of this syndrome it will be possible to reverse unnecessary deaths that often occurred as a result of the unpredictable behavior of the Covid-19 virus. Thanks to the experts and their work, step by step we are moving toward uncovering this dangerous disease.
