Post-Covid symptoms lingering on for months

Naina Mishra
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 25

In just a week, 30 patients with post-Covid complications have turned up at the clinic for post-Covid syndrome at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16.

On an average, the clinic is receiving at least four to six recovered patients with post-Covid symptoms lingering on for as long as three months, including mental health issues.

Post-Covid syndrome

Some patients may develop “post-acute Covid-19 syndrome” in which they experience persistent symptoms after recovering from the initial illness phase. The post-Covid-19 syndrome must be tackled with clinical assessment, psychological intervention and comprehensive rehabilitative care.

Dr Honey Sawhney from the GMSH, said: “Patients are coming with issues such as breathlessness, cough, weakness and body aches. A lot of patients are also reporting anxiety issues. Two patients came to us with post-traumatic distress disorders. A woman patient reported that she didn’t feel like taking up any task and had trouble sleeping. The symptoms have been lingering on for one to three months.”

Meanwhile, the PGI has also started following up on patients with post-Covid syndrome. “Patients are reporting in medicine, pulmonary and other departments. These patients have comorbid conditions as well,” said Dr Jagat Ram,Director, PGI.

The severity of post-Covid syndrome is higher among those visiting the PGI as many are being diagnosed with lung fibrosis (scarring of lung tissues). Prof Mandeep Garg, chest radiologistat the PGI, said: “We are conducting a chest scan for those reporting breathlessness or hypoxia in the post-recovery phase. We then decide whether anti-fibrotic drugs should be used. Fatigue, cough, joint pains, loss of taste and smell are the other lingering symptoms observed as long-term consequences of Covid-19. Patients may also develop complications involving cardiovascular, skin and neuropsychiatric system that require multi-disciplinary care.”