What Does Recovery from Coronavirus Look Like?
The world is now approaching nearly a year of battling the global coronavirus pandemic. In the United States alone, reported cases have reached more than 24 million. Of those cases, nearly 400,000 people have died as a result of the coronavirus.
Far more, though, have recovered, but many are still experiencing lingering long-term effects from their bout of infection. So, for these milder cases of COVID-19, what is the recovery like? What long-term effects have been experienced so far?
Mild COVID-19 Infections
Many people infected with COVID-19 experience no symptoms at all, or symptoms that are so mild they might not even know they have contracted the virus. These mild symptoms often include a cough, some nasal congestion, a sore throat, muscle aches, and maybe a low fever.
In many ways, these symptoms are similar to the those experienced with the flu or perhaps a bad cold. As a result, it can be difficult for individuals to know if they have contracted COVID-19. One trademark of this illness does seem to be a loss of taste and smell, a symptom that appears to come on quite suddenly.
If you experience a mild case of coronavirus with similar symptoms to those described here, it is possible to manage the infection at home, without seeking a doctor’s care. In these cases, you can aid your recovery by staying hydrated, getting plenty of sleep, and taking certain over-the-counter pain medications.
More Severe Infections
Unfortunately, for those who experience more severe infection with hospitalization, recovery is a less certain prospect. Studying the long-term effects of a COVID-19 infection is still in the early stages of research. So far, physicians have noted that patients report experiencing symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, and some neurological symptoms (including trouble with memory and concentration) after they recover from the infection.
In particular, COVID-19 appears to cause long-term damage to internal organs, especially the lungs, heart, and even the brain. These complications may put people at risk for other health problems in the long run. COVID-19 is particularly damaging to the lungs, causing scar tissue that could lead to long-term breathing problems. However, it can also cause damage to the heart muscle (increasing the risk of heart failure and other complications) and the brain (causing Guillain-Barre syndrome, strokes, and seizures).
The consequences of these effects are still unclear, but the best defense for avoiding the long-term effects of COVID-19 is still to avoid contracting it in the first place. Practice good hygiene, social distancing, and obtain a vaccine as soon as possible.