Studies show that vaccination decreases the risk of COVID-19 and its severe complications. With the continuing rollout of vaccines, many have begun to feel safer from the consequences of the COVID-19. As such, the vaccinated population is becoming more relaxed with their safety practices.
However, vaccines will not provide you 100% protection against COVID-19. You may have reduced chances of incurring the worst COVID-19 symptoms, but it may still cause various long-term health problems. Let’s take a look at some of the health consequences that COVID-19 may cause:
Post COVID-19
Complete recovery from COVID-19, whether mild or severe, usually takes a few weeks, but some people continue to experience symptoms even after recovery. These lingering symptoms—also called post-COVID syndrome or long COVID-19—last for a month or two after initial recovery.
Older adults and immunocompromised individuals are most likely to experience long COVID-19. However, healthy and young individuals may also have persisting symptoms.
Lingering symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Chest Pain
- Pounding heartbeat
- Cough
- Weakness and worsened symptoms after physical activities
Multi-Organ Damage And Issues
The primary target of COVID-19 is the lungs. Before the mutations surfaced, the tell-tale signs of COVID-19 were all connected to the respiratory system, but as researchers uncovered more about the virus, experts have found that it harms more than the lungs. Here’s how COVID-19 may affect your organ systems:
Respiratory System
One of the severe complications of COVID-19 is pneumonia. COVID-related pneumonia causes severe damage to the alveoli or the air sacs in the lungs. This damage may result in breathing problems like dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Cardiovascular System
Lasting heart damage is also a possible consequence of COVID-19 — several imaging test results among recovered patients show damage to the heart muscle. Some individuals also report chest pain and arrhythmia. There were also cases of people developing heart complications like myocarditis months after recovering from COVID-19.
Furthermore, many studies show that COVID-19 can increase the chances of blood clot formation. Large clots are known to cause heart attacks and strokes. Smaller blood clots in the blood vessels, on the other hand, can cause heart damage. Blood clots may also affect the legs, liver, lungs, and kidneys.
Nervous System and Other Organ Systems
Although rare, some reported brain-related risks such as strokes and seizures after recovering from COVID-19.
It is also possible for some individuals, especially children, to have multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). As its name suggests, this condition is characterized by inflamed organs. The exact cause of MIS is still unknown, but many people experiencing MIS were past COVID-19 patients or had COVID-19 exposure.
Mental Health Impacts
COVID-19 has physical and mental effects. Common aftereffects of COVID-19 infection are anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).
Being vulnerable to a dangerous virus is stressful and can make anyone worry, especially in severe cases. Being in a life-or-death situation while attached to a ventilator can be particularly traumatic. Individuals with mild symptoms also experience a degree of anxiousness since these symptoms can suddenly take a turn for the worse.
Family Medicine in Fort Worth, TX
The full consequences of COVID-19 on our health are varied. Researchers around the world are keeping a close watch on both recovering and recovered individuals to get to the bottom of this virus’s long-term impact.
However, we do know that COVID-19 is a tenacious disease that may continue to affect us even after a negative test result. To protect ourselves, let’s mask up, avoid crowds, and make healthier lifestyle choices.
If you want to give yourself and your family extra protection against COVID-19, do not hesitate to reach out to the Texas Medical Institute. Our dedicated family physicians and providers are committed to keeping you healthy. We provide drive-up COVID-19 testing and telemedicine services to ensure your health, safety, and comfort.
To learn more about our services, you may call us at (817) 615-8633 or request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you!
