Causes, Symptoms, and Long-term Effects of Covid-19

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) began generating top headlines worldwide in 2020 when it started to spread. Originating from a food market in China, it quickly spread worldwide and is currently responsible for over 100 million global infections. It has so far caused more than 2.5 million deaths globally, with the US being the most affected country.

Note that coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause respiratory problems and the common cold. The virus we have is the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Many myths surround the effects and treatment of this disease, but we are here to give the facts. One can indeed recover from the virus, but to some people, the post effects of covid are quite severe that they need special treatments after.

What Are Its Symptoms?

Worldwide, doctors and at the Ascent ER are continually learning of the typical symptoms of the virus. Be informed that the virus may not cause any symptoms in some people.

You can host the virus for up to 2 weeks before exhibiting the symptoms. Still, for some people, symptoms appear in the first two days after contracting the virus.

Some of the more common symptoms during the incubation period include:

• Fever
• Coughs
• Fatigue

Other early symptoms may include:

• Loss of taste and smell
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle pains
• Pink eye
• Stuffy and runny nose
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Discolored fingers and nails
• Chest pains

Covid-19 patients may exhibit all, some, or none of the above symptoms. Fever is seen as the most common symptom in many patients.

Covid-19 Emergency

Some symptoms exhibited need emergency Covid-19 care at the Houston Emergency Room. Immediately seek emergency medical services if you have any of the following symptoms.

• Difficulty breathing
• Blue lips and face
• Continuous pain and chest pressure
• Confusion
• Excessive drowsiness

The risk of a severe covid-19 illness increases with age. Older people are at a higher risk of having severe symptoms. Also, those with existing medical and chronic conditions are at more risk of a severe illness. Such conditions are:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidneys illness
• Sickle cell disease
• Weak immune system
• Pregnant women
• Smokers
• Serious heart conditions
• Obesity and severe obesity

If you fall in any of the above categories, contracting the infection is regarded as a covid-19 emergency and needs immediate medical care. However, the list is not all-inclusive. Other underlying medical conditions can lead to the severity of the disease.

Post Effects of Covid-19

Body Systems and Organ Damage

Covid-19 is primarily seen as a disease of the lungs, although it affects other organs too. This is how covid-19 affects various organs:

• Heart – Months after recovery, imaging tests have revealed damage to the heart muscles. This is even with people who only had mild covid-19 symptoms. It increases the risk of future heart failure and heart disorders.

• Lungs – There is the possibility of the long-term damage of the lungs’ alveoli from the specific covid-19 pneumonia. The resulting scar is responsible for long-term breathing difficulties.

• Brain – Covid-19 can cause stroke and brain disorders even in young people. It can cause Barre Syndrome, which leads to temporary paralysis and increases the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Blood Clots and Blood Vessel Problems

One possible side effect of covid-19 post-recovery is the clumping up of blood vessels, causing clots. Large blood clots can lead to heart attacks and body strokes. Still, small blood clots in the heart muscles’ capillaries cause most of the heart damage after covid-19 recovery.

Blood clots also affect other parts like the lungs, kidneys, legs, and liver. Post effects of covid on blood vessels also include weakening of the vessel walls, making them leak. This causes long-term effects on the liver and kidneys.

Many Still Unknown Effects

Scientists are still researching how the virus will affect people in the future. They recommend close monitoring by doctors of people with the virus and those recovered to scrutinize their organs’ functioning post-recovery.

Get covid-19 testing in Houston if you have persistent symptoms or a related illness before and after covid-19 recovery.

Note that while many people recover quickly from the disease, it leaves long-lasting effects on the body. The Covid-19 emergency team at Houston is here for such issues. We also recommend the continuous wearing of face masks, washing hands often, and avoiding crowds to minimize the virus’s spread.