Long Covid is a phenomenon that affects many people who have contracted the coronavirus. While most cases resolve within a few days, in one out of five instances, the illness may persist and lead to Long Covid. A recent study analyzed the records of 4,708 US adults who contracted the virus between April 2020 and February 2023 and found that about one in five still had symptoms after three months.
The risk factors for Long Covid include being female, suffering from cardiovascular diseases, and not being vaccinated against corona or having been infected with an early version of the omicron strain. However, Dr. Elizabeth Olsner, an epidemiologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, emphasized that the corona vaccine is essential in reducing both the severity of infection and the risk of long-term Covid.
Long Covid is characterized by symptoms that last more than 12 weeks and can vary in intensity. There are approximately 200 reported symptoms of Long Covid, including cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive issues, mental health challenges, skin rashes, and diarrhea. The prevailing theory is that inflammatory processes triggered by the corona virus invasion contribute to the development of Long Covid. Treatment for Long Covid focuses on managing individual symptoms such as physical therapy for lung damage or medication and therapy for mental health issues or close monitoring by specialty clinics for neurological concerns or blood clot risk.
Researchers hope to mitigate the long-term effects of chronic corona phenomenon by identifying these risk factors. By doing so they can develop better treatment options for those affected by Long Covid in future.
In conclusion, while many people experience mild symptoms when infected with coronavirus , some may develop Long Covid which can be debilitating. Identifying risk factors such as being female or having cardiovascular diseases can help mitigate long-term effects . The corona vaccine has proven effective in reducing both severity of infection as well as risk of developing long term covid making it imperative to get vaccinated as soon as possible to prevent severe cases from occurring.
