More than 40 million people have been considered to have recovered from the coronavirus around the world, but it seems that beating the initial illness is not the only battle that Covid-19 survivors have to fight. While a Covid-positive patient can recover in two to three weeks, scientists now say that the disease could recover in different ways in the coming months.
The latest study from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that some of the Covid-19 survivors could develop a rare multisystem inflammatory disease. This could become a major challenge for public health around the world.
The deadly virus affects the survivor’s immune system. It could leave survivors with further health complications, including strokes, pulmonary embolisms and even heart attacks, leading to sudden death. Infection with the Covid-19 virus could lead to the development of a multisystem hyper-inflammatory syndrome, leading to multi-organ failure and shock in survivors, a recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) shows.
“A rare multisystemic inflammatory disease has been observed in both children and adults after an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Unlike early inflammation resulting from viral replication and cell death, hyperinflammation can occur in organ systems other than those affected during Covid-19 and can begin after removal of the host from SARS-CoV-2 infection. ”S. Deblina Datta, Lead Author, Associated With Covid-19 Response, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, noted in research article.
According to JAMA research, Covid-19 infection is characterized by three periods of illness. The first phase is the onset of infection with fever, cough, shortness of breath with positive RTPCR. The research maintained that “symptomatic infection is not a necessary precursor to later disease,” as asymptomatic patients may also suffer from late disease.
The sign of the second phase manifests after 2 to 5 weeks of infection by Covid-19. Covid-19 mainly affects the respiratory system. However, in the second phase, hyperinflammation can occur in a different organ system completely separate from those affected during Covid-19. In this phase, patients may present with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and dermatological symptoms.
In the third phase, patients present symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, and chest pain after 60 days of infection. According to the study, 87% of previously hospitalized patients had one or more persistent symptoms even after 60 days from the onset of infection.
Former lung AIIMSG professor and department head C Khilnani told India Today that this phase is potentially serious and could be life-threatening, as the deadly virus deregulates the host’s immune response.
“This phase of the disease is poetically serious and threatens the life of a patient who requires ICU care. Therefore, if there are symptoms of fever, cough, chest discomfort with or without low oxygen levels after initial recovery; so the patient and family should not ignore and seek medical attention, ”added Khilanai.
Experts cautioned that the care of Covid-19 patients should not stop after two weeks, but should continue with the prudent use of medications and supportive therapy including physical therapy and counseling.
“Recognition of disease post-infection would lead us to approach this phase of disease with anti-inflammatory agents and other supportive therapies without burdening patients with an unnecessarily high dose of expensive antibiotics,” added Khilnani.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind Covid-19 infection, belongs to a family of single-stranded RNAs. Viruses in this family are known for their deadly attack on the respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels), liver and intestine systems.
India reported more than 94 lakh of Covid-19 cases on Tuesday morning. Of these, approximately 93 percent have been officially downloaded or recovered. However, according to such research, these survivors should be wary of post-Covid-19 illness.
