MADISON (WKOW) – For some people, a COVID-19 infection leads to persistent symptoms months after recovery. UW Health now provides more insight into the condition informally known as a COVID-19 ‘long haul’.
Dr. Aurora Pop-Vicas is an infectious disease specialist focusing on the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, the technical name for the condition.
She said patients with long-term symptoms can be divided into two groups: those who were admitted to the hospital during their initial illness, and those who were not.
“The patients who were ill with serious illnesses and who were admitted to the hospital and may have had life support for weeks to months have a fairly high risk of residual symptoms after discharge from the hospital,” she said.
She said large-scale studies from other countries found that nearly 75% of this group reported at least one persistent symptom six months after leaving the hospital.
However, the more interesting group includes those patients who initially had only mild COVID-19 cases but still struggle with symptoms.
“Instead of recovering quickly within two weeks, like most patients, they had persistent symptoms,” she said.
Pop-Vicas said data shows that about 10% of this group report long-term symptoms.
What symptoms are common?
Pop-Vicas said the most typical long-term symptoms are fatigue and muscle weakness. She said other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, joint pain and difficulty sleeping, are also common.
Some patients also report that they experience depression or anxiety.
What causes the condition?
Pop-Vicas said doctors and scientists do not yet know enough to find a definitive cause for persistent symptoms.
She said some theories include persistent inflammation or an overactive immune system.
She also said there is no clear treatment because doctors do not know what is causing the phenomenon.
“Until we understand the explanation for the syndrome biologically, we have no specific pharmacological treatment for COVID syndrome,” she said.
Studies of other respiratory diseases have gradually improved in symptoms, Pop-Vicas said.