Covid-19 can leave some people with long-term symptoms for a month or longer, according to new evidence. Although the numbers are relatively low in comparison with the number of people infected, these effects have been reported by people on Facebook and Slack.
The symptoms include fatigue, aching muscles and difficulty concentrating. Scientists are just starting to investigate the potential causes of enduring fatigue but say that there are several reasons why some people face a longer period of sickness.
“Fatigue itself will take on lots of different guises,” said Chris Brightling, professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Leicester and researcher of the long-term health impacts of Covid-19.
A report published by the World Health Organization in February, based on preliminary data, informed that, in mild cases, the average recovery time is roughly two weeks and about three to six weeks for severe or critical cases. However, some of those who had mild illness reported fatigue, among other symptoms, for weeks or months.
Those who have suffered a severe illness in the acute phase, including admission to intensive care, typically suffer from muscle loss, which can result in direct physical fatigue. Others are left with lung damage, including scarring that can cause breathlessness, leaving people feeling tired.
“How common each of those things are we simply don’t have good information,” said Brightling. His study will track over 10 thousand people who were admitted to hospital with Covid-19. This will allow scientists to assess what proportion of patients end up with which long-term health impacts, and what the risk factors are for different symptoms.
The professor added: “One of the big challenges is that there’s so much that we don’t yet understand.”
