Persistent Medical Problems

Abstract

Persistent medical symptoms following COVID-19 infection may be related to chronic organ damage or dysfunction, primarily documented in the lungs, heart, and brain. This is more common in patients with severe COVID and who were treated in intensive care units. The atypical acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of COVID may lead to chronic pulmonary vascular disease and fibrosis. Myocarditis and cardiomyopathy may result in chronic cardiac disorders. Neurologic symptoms, including loss of taste and smell as well as mental and cognitive dysfunction, are common during acute COVID infection but may persist for months. In addition, 5%–10% of patients, including many with mild or moderate infection, report multiple unrelated symptoms lasting for months. These patients have been termed “long-haulers” or long-COVID syndrome and no significant laboratory or pathologic findings have been identified. The symptoms and clinical course are similar to chronic fatigue syndrome/benign myalgic encephalomyelitis and post-viral syndrome. In the general population, mental health issues have increased significantly, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disturbances.