The Ways Long COVID Affects the Body
Before COVID-19 was reported, researchers studied how infections such as COVID-19 can affect the mind and body. Now, three years after initial reports of COVID-19 emerged, researchers continue to study COVID-19’s long-term effects on the well-being of people.
Long COVID or Post COVID
There are many names for Post-COVID Conditions (PCC). You may have heard it referred to as Long COVID, long-haul COVID, post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, post-acute COVID-19, chronic COVID, or long-term effects of COVID. Regardless of what it’s called, Post-COVID Conditions can affect your mind and body.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other agencies studied reports of long-haul COVID symptoms and created a definition of PCC.
Post-COVID Occurrence
People diagnosed with COVID-19 may experience various new, recurring, or continuing health problems. Many may notice the signs of long COVID symptoms days after they’re diagnosed with COVID. Many people’s symptoms will end a few days or weeks after they are infected with COVID-19.
Unfortunately, a test to determine if you have PCC doesn’t exist. However, because PCC is not one illness, your doctor considers your health history and whether you have had COVID-19 to determine if you have PCC.
Post-COVID Symptoms
Diagnosing PCC isn’t easy. Several PCC symptoms can last from weeks to years after a diagnosis of COVID-19. In some cases, those symptoms can disappear and recur. Sometimes a combination of symptoms exists, all occurring at various lengths. A few (not all) of the symptoms are:
General
- Fatigue or exhaustion that impacts your daily life
- Worsening symptoms after a physical or mental effort
- Fever
- Heart and respiratory issues
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Heart palpitations
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Neurological
- Brain fog
- Headache
- Sleep issues
- Lightheadedness
- Depression or anxiety
- Digestive
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
Other
- Muscle or joint pain
- Rash
Most people’s PCC symptoms will go away eventually. However, in some cases, symptoms that are difficult to explain or care for can exist. People with ongoing, difficult symptoms often have symptoms similar to chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis.
People, especially those diagnosed with severe COVID-19, can have long-lasting multiorgan effects or autoimmune disorders after having COVID-19. The organs affected by PCC include kidneys, skin, lungs, heart, and brain. Multiorgan effects can increase the risk of developing diabetes, blood clots, and neurological or cardiac conditions. In many cases, these disorders did not exist before COVID-19 infected them.
Health Risks
The risk of having PCC affects some groups more than others. Researchers are studying reported cases of PCC to understand why some are at a higher risk than others. What they have found is that those who
- Experienced severe COVID-19 infection, for example, those hospitalized or requiring intensive care
- Have pre-existing health conditions before being infected with COVID-19
- Are unvaccinated
- Are diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS), a severe and rare condition linked with COVID-19 causing various organs to become inflamed (skin, eyes, kidneys, brain, heart, or gastrointestinal system organs) during or post-COVID-19 infection
have an increased risk of developing PCC symptoms.
Inequities
The environment where people live or work, or lack of access to health care plays a role in risk factors for being infected with COVID-19 and, later, long COVID. Health inequities can increase the risk of people with disabilities and ethnic or racial minorities developing long COVID.
Prevention
You can protect yourself and your loved ones from the effects of PCC. The CDC recommends that you:
- Stay home if you suspect or have COVID-19
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots
- Get tested for COVID-19
- Avoid people who have COVID-19
You can also create a personalized COVID-19 plan. The plan can help you if you become infected with COVID-19. Seeing your doctor or health professional if you suspect you have or test positive for COVID-19 is also essential to your well-being.
Christina Sisti, DPS, MPH, MS is a bioethicist and health care policy advocate. She works to create awareness and improve health care policy for those with long-term health issues.