A new study  has documented debilitating effects months after diagnosis of COVID-19 including:

• Blood clots and strokes
• Breathing difficulties
• Diabetes
• Heart, liver, and kidney damage
• Depression, anxiety, and memory loss

Increased risk of dying

Those suffering from COVID longer term also have a much higher chance of dying, something already suspected by doctors. Researchers reported that survivors had a 59% increased risk of dying within six months, worsening the pandemic’s hidden death toll and growing recognition that many patients require readmission with others dying weeks after the infection subsides.

The study showed that up to six months from diagnosis, the risk of death following even mild cases is not to be underestimated and it increases in proportion with disease severity. In addition, Covid-19 patients who survived hospitalisation were also found to have a 51% increased risk of dying compared with influenza patients who also had been hospitalised.

Just the “tip of the iceberg”

“We’re starting to see a little bit beneath that iceberg, and it’s really alarming,” said Ziyad Aly, chief of the research and development service at the St. Louis VA Medical Center in Missouri, who led the study.

Globally, more than 143 million people have tested positive for Covid-19, and more than 3 million have died from the infection, with some studies indicating that 10% of survivors may become so-called long haulers.

“We worry about potential spikes in suicide or potential spikes in overdose of opioids,” said Al-Aly.

He also added he hoped the research would provide a roadmap to inform health-system planning and care strategies to mitigate chronic ill-health among Covid survivors.

“Let’s not act surprised two years down the road, when people start committing suicide,” he said. “We did not do very well preparing and dealing with Covid. Let’s not make that mistake a second time.”

Lingering symptoms following mild COVID-19

A further study released by the CDC last week also revealed lingering symptoms in patients who suffered from a mild version of the virus. These include:

• Respiratory conditions
• Nervous system disorders
• Mental health problems
• Metabolic and cardiovascular disorders
• General ill-health
• Fatigue
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Anaemia

The study reviewed more than 3,100 cases of patients who were not hospitalised as a result of their initial infection. It revealed that over two-thirds of those with mild symptoms returned to the doctor with new symptoms within six months of the first infection. It found that nearly 70% of cases (the equivalent of 2,100 people) returned to their GP between 1-6 months from initial diagnosis with 40% requiring to see a specialist; pulmonologists, cardiologists, neurologists and mental health professionals being those consulted most frequently.

The study validates accounts of many Covid-19 survivors and long haulers who report feeling unwell months later even though their initial infection was mild. Additionally, the study found that compared to those who did not return to the doctor after recovering from the initial infection, the long haulers were more likely to be black, women, and people over the age of 50. This further highlights the acute need to really listen to women and minorities and fight race and gender biases in healthcare.

Further major studies into long haul COVID-19 have been launched. We greatly welcome more research and knowledge so that sufferers can be supported appropriately.

Read our guide on recovering from the impact of mild COVID long-term.