COVID-19 symptoms last longer than 6 months

A new study points to dozens of symptoms that COVID-10 patients continue to complain of weeks and even months after the onset of the disease. In total, 203 different symptoms were noted, and scientists are urging doctors to take this into account when helping patients with rehabilitation.

Research publishedCharacterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their impact in EClinicalMedicine (Lancet), based on a web survey conducted by an online COVID-19 support group Body Politic. The team received responses from 3,762 participants from 56 countries. They identified 203 symptoms affecting 10 organ systems. The effects of 66 of these symptoms were monitored for seven months or more.

The most common were fatigue, worsening of other symptoms after physical or mental exertion, and many different cognitive dysfunctions. Symptoms also include sexual dysfunction, visual hallucinations, tremors, pruritus, changes in the menstrual cycle, heart palpitations, bladder control problems, shingles, memory loss, blurred vision, diarrhea, and noise in ears.

The researchers found that the likelihood of symptoms persisting for eight months or more was 91.8%. On average, patients who reported their symptoms for at least six months experienced about 56 symptoms out of 203 reported.

About 9 out of 10 participants had a relapse, the main causes of which were physical and mental activity, as well as stress. Researchers are calling for greater attention to the need to support people suffering from this disease, and also take into account not only respiratory and cardiovascular, but also other symptoms when diagnosing and treating COVID-19.

It should be noted that the research materials had limitations that could affect the result. In particular, it was retrospective (scientists did not track the condition of patients during the disease, but used previously recorded data) and looked at data from people in support groups for those suffering from long-term effects of COVID-19. The team also admitted that despite striving to diversify the demographics, the subjects were predominantly English-speaking whites.