A study published in the BMJ showed that around 1 in 6 unvaccinated individuals experienced health effects from COVID-19 up to two years after infection. The study showed that 17% of participants did not return to normal health, and 18% reported COVID-related symptoms 24 months after the initial infection.

At month six, those with COVID had an increased risk of both physical problems, such as altered taste or smell (9.8%), malaise after exertion (9.4%), and shortness of breath (7.8%), and mental health issues, such as reduced concentration (8.3%) and anxiety (4%), compared to those who did not have an infection.

The researchers looked at patterns of recovery and persistent symptoms in 1,106 unvaccinated adults with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between August 6, 2020, and January 19, 2021. Their results were compared with those of 628 adults who were randomly selected from the general population and had not had the virus. Participants submitted information on 23 possible long-term COVID symptoms six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four months after infection.

Overall, 55% of patients reported resuming normal health status within a month of infection, and 18% reported recovery within one to three months. On the other hand, by six months, 23% of individuals claimed that they had not fully healed, dropping to 19% at 12 months and 17% at 24 months.

The proportions of people experiencing symptoms at the three-time points were similar but slightly higher, declining from 29% at six months to 20% at 12 months and 18% at 24 months. People who reported symptoms at all follow-ups or who reported worsening symptoms were more likely to be older and to have pre-existing health conditions. 

(Source:https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/1-in-6-unvaccinated-people-suffer-poor-health-two-years-after-covid-123060100404_1.html )