Post-Covid Sequelae

It is necessary to be attentive and take care

Approaching three years since the Coronavirus emerged – the pandemic spread in 2020, but the virus appeared at the end of 2019 – the current debate revolves around the various sequelae that exist in those cured of the disease. A study conducted at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) led by pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist Jéssica Polese – which began in 2020 and followed 44 patients cured of Covid to assess lung function during their recovery – showed other symptoms beyond those of the respiratory tract, in tests conducted 30, 90, and 180 days after hospital discharge. "In addition to some sequelae in the lung, other comorbidities emerged in the body of those who had the disease in its most severe form, including depression," says the pulmonologist. According to the study, 28% of patients exhibited depression, 36% anxiety, and 44% fatigue. Another 44% of the total reported poor sleep. Long or chronic Covid, as it is known in the medical field, causes various symptoms in patients who had the disease in its severe form, who had comorbidities, and also in those who had no health problems but were infected. "Among the main complaints are fatigue, persistent cough, difficulty breathing, loss of smell or taste at certain times, frequent headaches, hair loss, tiredness, memory loss, etc.," states Jessica. Another study conducted by scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States this year discovered that the immune response triggered by contamination with Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease, can cause damage and inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain and be behind the problems of concentration loss and 'mental fog.' For the pulmonologist, these are evidence that long Covid can affect the body in various ways and increase the risk of the patient having a stroke, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic issues, among others. "We have also seen an increase in depression today, due to symptoms varying from psychoneurological to physically incapacitating symptoms causing enormous physical and mental suffering," explains Jessica. These individuals have complaints of anxiety, panic, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms, which are even worse in those individuals who required hospitalization or presented more severe cases," reports the doctor. According to the doctor, sleep disturbances are already a concerning factor as they directly affect the body, and combined with possible sequelae of Covid, it can be a greater health risk. There is a need for guidance for patients regarding treatments aimed at addressing traumas due to isolation, the loss of friends and family, which further influence well-being. "This scenario causes a growing worsening and gives rise to symptoms. Physical changes include cardiovascular, pulmonary, and muscular problems that are so intense and sometimes limiting," explains Jessica.