EEH: What are the long-term effects of COVID-19?

Most people who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 recover within a few weeks without any lingering ill effects.

There is a group, unofficially known as “long-haulers,” who experience lingering health problems after they recover from the coronavirus infection.

For some, the symptoms can be life-altering. Researchers have found that about one-third of people who recover from COVID-19 had lingering symptoms three weeks after they first became ill, and that 50 to 80 percent of people experience symptoms three months later, even after fighting off the virus.

Who becomes a long-hauler is unpredictable, as many people who experience long-term symptoms had mild or moderate cases of COVID-19.

In general, the long-term effects of COVID-19 can vary. The most common lingering symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Joint pain
• Chest pain

Some people have reported other long-term symptoms, including:

• Difficulty with thinking and concentration (sometimes called “brain fog”)
• Depression
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Intermittent fever
• Heart palpitations

While COVID-19 first affects lung function, some people have reported serious lingering symptoms that affect other body organs, including:

• Cardiovascular: inflammation of the heart muscle
• Respiratory: lung function abnormalities
• Renal: acute kidney injury
• Dermatologic: rash, hair loss
• Neurological: smell and taste problems, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, memory problems
• Psychiatric: depression, anxiety, mood changes

Some people with pre-existing dental conditions reported gum sensitivity and even losing teeth after they recovered from COVID-19.

Unfortunately, it’s not clear why the symptoms remain after recovery from a COVID-19 infection, and it’s too early to know how long they’ll linger.

In the meantime, healthcare providers are doing their best to treat the symptoms and support long-haulers in their recovery.

The best way for people to manage the symptoms is to check in with their primary care physicians regularly and track their symptoms. If needed, seek emergency care.

Stay protected from COVID-19 infection by wearing masks, staying at least 6 feet away from others, washing hands often, avoiding social gatherings and getting the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is offered.

For more information, visit www.eehealth.org/coronavirus.