IA new study from the CDC has shown that approximately 1 in 4 adults COVID survivors over the age of 65 years and 1 in 5 COVID survivors under the age of 65 years suffer from “long COVID.” Long COVID refers to the “post-COVID” symptoms after surviving a coronavirus infection. 

With an increasing number of COVID cases, those suffering from persistent symptoms or organ dysfunction following acute COVID-19 and those who develop post-COVID symptoms have also increased. The study is based on an analysis of electronic health records from a large American national database, including 353000 COVID 19 patients and 1.6 million patients without COVID-19 between March 2020 to November 2021. The study results have suggested that 38% of COVID-19 survivors faced at least one clinical condition in the months after their infection. On the contrary, about 16% of people who were not infected with COVID-19 experienced these clinical conditions. 

The most common symptoms following a coronavirus infection were “respiratory symptoms and musculoskeletal pain.” Other significant symptoms included kidney failure, heart problems, blood clots, and vascular tissues. In individuals 65 years and above, an increased risk for neurological conditions was reported and other mental health issues such as mood disorders and substance abuse. 

Earlier studies have also found data for the proportion of COVID-19 survivors experiencing long COVID symptoms, estimated from 20% to 50%. 

[Source Link: 1 in 4 Senior Adult COVID Survivors Experiences Long COVID (webmd.com)]