Since last year, the world has seen an unprecedented crises in form of covid pneumonia. Starting from Wuhan China, it spread rapidly from one country to another in a short span of time, and still continues affecting people globally.  The disease, its causative agent and manifestations, all have been entirely new and as things unfolded, people gained knowledge about it.

Many unfortunate people have died, many survived and have no problem, but many still have health problems, after recovering from covid.  Now after more than 18 months of the pandemic, different health issues are being seen in survivors of the pandemic.  Several health problems are being seen as long term complication of covid infection.

Many survivors of Covid-19 infection are now suffering from breathlessness on exertion. This is because of permanent damage to lung tissues and or air ways (tubes through which air flows in and out of lungs.). This also leads to early fatigue and reduced capacity for work and physical exertion. Some have reduced appetite which is affecting nutrition and adds to weakness and fatigue.  Those suffering from chronic respiratory problems like asthma, COPD, have been more vulnerable to develop chronic respiratory problems after recovering from Covid-19. 

Muscular pains, joints pain, is also being seen in covid positive people, after recovery from acute infection. Some have abnormal sensations in hands and feet.  Individuals are also being seen having anemia due to B12 deficiency and or iron deficiency, after recovering from covid. This could be related to poor intake secondary to poor appetite or direct damage to hematological system or bone marrow by the virus. 

Skin rash is yet another problem seen in covid affected people who have survived.  My own daughter has had skin rashes intermittently, few times after she recovered from covid infection. Another young lady told me that she gets bruises intermittently over her body, since a week after having covid infection and continued even after becoming negative, about two months ago. 

Hair fall, that too in excess, after covid infection is also being experienced by some women, as well as men.  It is very stressful for most individuals. They have to be assured that it is temporary and will stop over time. 

Apart from the physical problems, mental health issues are also prevalent in covid survivors. Anxiety about own health and concern for family members is seen in many affected people, post infection. Depression is part of complications after covid. Seeing people being sick and dying, losing a loved one suddenly, are some factors causing depression. These are manifested as dryness of mouth, loss of sleep, anorexia, feeling tired, palpitations, e.t.c symptoms.

The severity of complications, depends on multiple factors. Severity of covid infection, body’s immune system, overall health status, presence or absence of comorbidities, use of alcohol and or tobacco and genetic factors. Currently there are speculations on why and how these complications are happening. Whether it is reinfection, reactivation of residual infection present in body, reaction of the immune system or some other virus invading the body, this will be known clearly after scientific studies come to some conclusion.

How long these complications last and would there be other sequel as well, only time would tell.  Till then one affected has to be careful to prevent re- infection and heal the long term effects. A balanced nutritious diet including more of proteins, vitamins C, E and B.complex, is useful to keep the body healthy, improve immunity and help in healing of damaged tissues. Those with comorbidities like diabetes should be extra vigilant. Because diabetes makes them more vulnerable to more severe covid infection and development of complications. 

Good personal hygiene, frequent handwashing, social distancing and constant use of masks is still useful and should be maintained. This will minimize risk of re infection with covid and its spread to others.

Dr. Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine.

E-mail: rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk