Three months or longer: who and why is the protracted course of COVID-19 threatened

Advanced age and the presence of a wide range of initial symptoms increase the risk of “long Covid,” scientists say, writes with the BBC.

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The study, which was reviewed by the BBC, states that one in 20 people has been sick for almost eight weeks.

A study from King's College London also found that women, overweight people and asthma are most at risk.

The scientists' goal is to develop an early detection technique that will help identify patients who require additional care or who would benefit most from early treatment.

The study analyzed data from people who recorded their symptoms and test results in the Covid Symptom Study.

Scientists examined this data to identify patterns that could predict who is at risk for a long course of illness.

The results show that long-term illness can overtake anyone, but certain factors increase the risk.

What exactly increases the risk

“Having more than five different symptoms in the first week has emerged as a key risk factor,” says Dr Claire Steve, from King's College London.

COVID-19 is more than just a cough. The virus that causes it can affect organs throughout the body.

Those who had a cough, fatigue, headache, diarrhea and loss of smell had a greater risk than those who only had a cough.

On the subject: 'Forgot who I am and where': after COVID-19, people suffer for months from disorientation and memory loss

The risk also increases with age, especially for people over 50 and also for women.

“We saw from the early data that men had a much greater risk of very severe disease, and unfortunately death, from Covid, and women appeared to be more likely to have long-term disease,” Dr. Steves said.

No comorbidities were associated with the long-term course of covid, other than asthma and lung disease.

What is “long Covid”

Long-term COVID-19 symptoms (in descending order):

• weakness
• breathlessness
• joint pain
• chest pain
• cough
• loss of smell
• dry eye syndrome
• cold
• redness of the eyes
• loss of taste
• headache
• sputum production
• lack of appetite
• sore throat
• dizziness
• muscle pain
• diarrhea

The symptoms of “long Covid” are different for each patient, but the common one is fatigue.

Vicky Bourne, 48, started with a fever and a “pathetic little cough” in March, which later became “absolutely terrible” and she needed extra oxygen.

She was hospitalized then, but even now, in October, she is still experiencing symptoms of “long Covid.”

Vicky’s health is improving, but she has problems with her vision and is still affected by “waves” of deteriorating health. Even walking the dog takes so much energy out of her that she cannot speak at the same time.

“My joints began to feel like arthritis, and, strangely, two weeks ago I lost my sense of taste and smell again, they completely disappeared,” says the woman.

“It’s like there’s some kind of inflammation in my body that moves in spurts. I can’t get rid of it completely: it appears and then disappears, appears and disappears,” she adds.

Vicki is not alone. According to research:

• every seventh person is sick for at least four weeks
• every 20 person is sick for almost eight weeks
• every 45th person is sick for at least 12 weeks

Researchers at King's College have created a piece of computer code that should help predict from the very beginning of a coronavirus infection who is at risk of getting 'long Covid'.

On the subject: CDC recognizes another way coronavirus spreads

The code is not perfect. He correctly identified 69% of people whose illness actually lasted a long time, but also predicted “long Covid” for about a quarter of those infected who recovered quickly.

“We think this is really important because we could identify these people, maybe give them preventive measures, but most importantly, follow up with them and make sure they get the rehabilitation they need,” says Dr. Steves.

UK Health Minister Matt Hancock noted that the results of the Covid Symptom Study once again remind the public, especially young people, that COVID-19 is dangerous for everyone and can have long-term and potentially devastating health effects.

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