Coronavirus Long-Term Recovery Looks Bleak

We’re still learning the long-term effects of COVID-19, but from what we do know, it can leave some people recovering for a long time. Severe infections can leave people with lasting lung damage, heart problems, blood clots, organ damage, muscle weakness and neurological issues.

It’s important to have hope, especially after the world has thrown us so many recent curveballs, and we don't want to destroy hope here, but we want to help everyone feel prepared for the coming "new normal." And to consider what recovery from this illness might look like. One issue that could complicate the path out of COVID-19 is the bleak long-term prognosis many sufferers may face, making avoidance of this virus more important than some realize.

There's a movement of people who want to catch it thinking they will then have immunity. But aside from the fact that this may not be true, recent studies seem to show that long term recovery may be complicated.

Lung Damage

People who develop more severe forms of COVID-19 appear to be at risk of suffering lasting lung damage. Controlling lung edema and finding ways to prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are the biggest factors in reducing this complication. Johns Hopkins Medical Center explains that patients who develop ARDS can experience scarring in the lungs due to severe inflammation.

Another potential complication is sepsis, which can also leave lasting damage in the lungs and other vital organs. Depending on the level of damage, a person recovering from a severe COVID-19 infection might expect impaired lung function for anywhere between a few months to a year. Some patients may need to consult a respiratory therapist and may have a long road ahead of them.

Cardiovascular Repercussions

The more we learn about COVID-19, the more it seems that the infection can have serious effects on the heart. A recent study in China showed 52 of 187 patients, nearly 28% of those studied, suffered some degree of myocardial damage. This has led to increases in arrhythmias and other forms of cardiac dysfunction among COVID-19 patients and survivors.

Some people with severe cases of the coronavirus are also developing blood clots. The Radiological Society of North America issued a press release on April 23 warning about this newly discovered issue. The biggest threat doctors have seen in this area is clots in the lungs, which could be complicating up to 30% of serious cases. Therapies that effectively thin the blood may improve long-term prognosis in COVID-19 cases that affect clotting.

It’s important to note that it may be some time before researchers understand the long-term effects of this virus on the heart, and recovery could be uncertain for people who have had cardiovascular involvement until more information is available.

Other Organ Involvement

Up to 11% of serious COVID-19 patients experience liver complications. Up to 50% could also be sustaining kidney damage, reports PBS. Some patients may need ongoing dialysis treatments even after they’ve left the hospital. Organ involvement is most common in people who present with other severe symptoms, such as cytokine storm or sepsis.

Muscle Weakness

Even people who manage to escape serious organ damage may find themselves struggling for a while. Science magazine points out that any extended illness, especially one that involves intensive care, can have long-term effects on the body. Muscles atrophy, so a long stay in bed will naturally lead to some muscle wasting.

But some COVID-19 patients may be experiencing something even more nefarious. This coronavirus may be causing a serious complication called rhabdomyolysis, a process in which the body breaks down and consumes its own muscle tissue. This leads to muscle pain, fatigue, changes to urine color and sometimes renal failure. Aggressive hydration may reduce the risks of serious repercussions in these cases.

Neurological Complications

COVID-19 can cause a number of neurological symptoms, the most notable being a loss of sense of smell. This symptom appears to be common in several viral infections, but it seems to be particularly prevalent in coronaviruses. Up to two-thirds of people with COVID-19 are reporting this symptom. It’s even popping up in some otherwise asymptomatic people.

Some people are experiencing far more severe neurological symptoms. COVID-19 can cause viral encephalitis and other inflammatory disorders of the brain, all of which are potentially damaging. Patients developing severe neurological involvement may experience headaches, agitation and delirium. As the virus progresses, symptoms may include paralysis, unconsciousness and coma. Prompt diagnosis is critical to improving long-term prognosis.

There’s still a lot we don’t understand about the coronavirus and its long-term effects, but from what we do know, many people could be recovering for a long time and may face a lifetime of ill-effects. Our best defense against suffering serious complications is avoiding infection in the first place. Practice social distancing and other safety measures, making sure to keep your hands washed and clear of your face and wear a mask when in public to protect others from anything you may be carrying without realizing it. You might not be able to avoid exposure completely, but you can reduce your chances of getting sick and suffering long-term repercussions and you can help in the fight to protect everyone by wearing a mask.

Copyright 2020, Wellness.com