After effects of Covid-19: Symptoms can persist a year post recovery

Patients of Covid-19 can face certain infection symptoms even a year after recovery, reveal the findings of a new study.

Published in the journal Lancet, the study found that at least one of the infection’s symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle weakness or shortness of breath, troubled patients up to a year after being discharged from the hospital.

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The researchers noted that since there is no proven treatment or guidance for the rehabilitation of patients, long Covid syndrome affects people's ability to resume normal life and their capacity to work. In fact, a complete recovery from Covid-19 may take more than 12 months for many.

The study assessed around 1,300 people hospitalised for Covid-19 between January and May 2020 in China's Wuhan, the epicentre of the disease. The proportion of patients with at least one symptom decreased from 68% at 6 months to 49% at 12 months.

The same study also observed that respiratory discomfort increased from 26 per cent of patients after six months to 30 per cent after 12 months.

The researchers also recognized that 'Long Covid' is a modern challenge, so there is a need for better care and long term support of patients so that they can recover from the symptoms and return to a normal life.

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