With the advancement of vaccination, it is already possible to hope that the Covid-19 pandemic may be coming to an end. However, doctors and researchers warn that the consequences of the disease can persist for years, even following the acute phase has passed. These sequelae, also known as “long Covid”, affect many aspects of health, from breathing and lung function to cognition and mental health.
The appearance of these pictures, according to recent studies, is quite common. According to the Covitel survey, carried out by the international organization Vital Strategies, regarding 65% of Brazilians who have contracted Covid-19 report some type of sequel. In certain cases, these problems can require medical care and overwhelm the health care system. Next, experts explain some of the most frequent sequels.
heart complications
Cardiologist Dr. Seliny Campelo explains that one of the most frequent cardiac complications is acute myocardial injury: an inflammation in the heart that can be detected through blood tests. The second most common complication is the development of arrhythmia followed by myocarditis, an inflammation in the heart muscle that can make the organ weaker and prone to heart failure. Pulmonary hypertension, which ends up pressing the right side of the heart and impairing blood pumping, has also been identified in many cases. “These post-Covid complications have been identified in studies around the world”, highlights the doctor.
Pulmonary sequelae
The most common pulmonary sequelae today, according to pulmonologist Dr. João Carlos de Jesus, are dry cough and pain in the neck and chest, which can persist for up to eight weeks. Patients with asthma or COPD may also get worse following contracting the virus. In addition, according to the doctor, many patients begin to experience difficulty in physical activities and day-to-day tasks. “These signs indicate that the body has changed. It is important to carry out tests to understand if there has been lung damage”, warns the doctor. He also adds that pulmonary fibrosis, which was a concern at the beginning of the pandemic, now occurs more rarely due to the decrease in severe cases.
Compromised cognitive function
Neuroscientist Dr. Wellington Bruski explains that, currently, specialists are still trying to understand how the virus can damage the brain and cause symptoms such as memory, concentration and reasoning difficulties. He claims that cognitive losses can lead to problems such as depression and the need for help with everyday activities. “Many people can no longer store information in their brains,” he says. doctor Wellington also points out that, despite these challenges, treatments have already been shown to be effective in recovering cognitive functions.
anxiety and depression
It is undeniable that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone’s mental health to some extent, leading to the emergence of psychiatric problems in some cases. For those who fell ill due to Covid-19, these disorders can manifest themselves even more intensely, as explained by psychologist Dr. Joana D’Arc Sakai. “A portion of patients recovered from Covid-19 were diagnosed with problems such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and insomnia”, she points out. These issues can generate physical symptoms such as pain, weakness and shortness of breath, or even incapacitate the patient for work and other daily activities. In all these cases, according to the psychologist, it is necessary to seek treatment.
eye diseases
Ophthalmologist Dr. Daniel Kamlot details that the coronavirus can cause thrombosis in the blood vessels of the eyes, causing obstruction of the retinal veins. The main consequences are low vision and macular edema (swelling in the central area of vision). In severe cases, ischemia can also occur, which is the lack of oxygenation in the region. In addition, regarding 2% of patients have viral conjunctivitis during coronavirus infection, with the potential to leave sequelae. The Doctor. Daniel also recalls that the pandemic has led to an increase in the use of screens, which can cause dry eyes and increase the risk of developing myopia. “We are going to understand these effects in the long term”, he comments.
Loss of hair
Another consequence of Covid-19 is hair loss due to “telogen effluvium”. Dermatologist Dr. Gabriela Bernhard explains that, in this condition, the hair strands enter an early fall phase due to the stress that the infection causes in the body. In patients who have recovered from Covid-19, according to the expert, hair loss is usually accentuated regarding four weeks following infection. “This hair loss is usually self-limited and spontaneously improves following two to six months”, reports the doctor. In cases that last longer, follow-up with a dermatologist is recommended, who may recommend drug treatment.
Stroke and Thrombosis: Dr. Leticia Costa
Vascular surgeon Dr. Letícia Costa warns that the risk of developing a thrombotic event following the diagnosis of Covid-19 is around 16%. This risk is concentrated mainly in the first 30 days of illness and in hospitalized patients. “In addition to the large amount of inflammatory mediators produced due to the infection, there are also changes in coagulation, increased blood viscosity and lesions within the vessels”. details. According to the specialist, all these alterations, associated with other comorbidities, have contributed to increase the risk of developing thrombosis.
Infertility
Covid-19 can also compromise fertility, especially in men, according to assisted reproduction specialist Dr. Alessandro Schuffner. “In seriously ill patients, the organism throws its energy to other parts, and not to the testicles”, he explains. In addition, fever can also compromise the functioning of male reproductive organs. Women, on the other hand, do not seem to have their reproductive system impaired by the disease. The Doctor. Alessandro points out, however, that studies on the subject are still in their infancy: the duration of the effects on fertility and the possible impacts on women are not yet fully known.
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