30th July 2022, Spectrum Medical Imaging

Up to 31%-69% of COVID-19 survivors will experience long COVID symptoms after initial recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection [1, 2]. While the initial symptoms of long COVID symptoms include fatigue (29%), muscle pain, palpitations, cognitive impairment (28%), dyspnea (21%), anxiety (27%), chest pain, and arthralgia (18%) [3], in patients experiencing long covid symptoms, fatigue is most prevalent (51%), followed by dyspnoea (35%), arthralgia (25%) and concentration difficulties (25%).

Because Covid-19 is primarily a respiratory virus, the lungs are usually affected more than the other organs. This week we look at a case of severe dyspnoea following severe Covid-19 infection.

References:

  1. Su Y, Yuan D, Chen DG, Ng RH, Wang K, Choi J. et al. Multiple early factors anticipate post-acute COVID-19 sequelae. Cell. 2022;185:881-95.e20
  2. Tenforde MW, Kim SS, Lindsell CJ, Rose EB, Shapiro NI, Files DC. et al. Symptom Duration and Risk Factors for Delayed Return to Usual Health Among Outpatients with COVID-19 in a Multistate Health Care Systems Network – United States, March-June 2020. Mmwr-Morbid Mortal W. 2020;69:993-8
  3. Carfi A, Bernabei R, Landi F, Aute GAC-P. Persistent Symptoms in Patients After Acute COVID-19. Jama-J Am Med Assoc. 2020;324:603-5