Can COVID affect you even after you have recovered from it?
The implications of the SARs-COV-2 virus stretch beyond one's recovery from the disease. After battling mild to moderate to severe COVID-19 infections, there's a high chance one may continue to experience lingering symptoms and many even develop long term complications.
Studies have shown that some people, even those who had mild illnesses, continue to experience symptoms long after their initial recovery. Experts have claimed that symptoms may even persist for more than four weeks after you've been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus.
Even with the mild Omicron variant, doctors have warned against taking the variant lightly as it could lead to long COVID.
What is long COVID?
Long COVID refers to the condition people develop long after they have recovered from coronavirus. It is what continues to torment individuals weeks and months after the infection has subsided. That said, some patients who have experienced a moderate or severe form of infection can continue to battle lingering complications, facing challenges in resuming their normal activities.
Older adults and people with chronic health conditions are the most likely to experience lingering COVID-19 symptoms, but even young, otherwise healthy individuals can fall prey to long term effects.
Also read: Coronavirus: Symptoms of Omicron induced infection to watch out for
Some of the most common and concerning symptoms include fatigue, persistent cough, shortness of breath, brain fog and anxiety. Proper care and a good diet is recommended for those dealing with post-COVID syndrome.
The COVID-19 symptom that can linger on for months
One of the main symptoms of COVID-19, which also is a clear indicator of the disease, is loss of sense of smell and taste. Most people who contract the SARs-COV-2 virus have an upper respiratory tract infection, which can lead to an impaired sense of smell and taste. While most people, as they start to recover, restore back their sense of smell, there are some who continue to experience a distorted sense of smell, known as parosmia.
Parosmia is a type of smell disorder, where odors become distorted and smell different than the original scent. That said, something that once smelled pleasant may smell bad to a person with parosmia. Research has now suggested that it could be one of the lingering effects of COVID-19.
A June 2021 study found that of 1,299 people suffering from long-COVID, 140 of them reported a change in their sense of smell and were receiving proper smell training. Out of the 140, 20 said they experienced an improvement in their condition.
Why is it concerning and how it can affect the quality of our lives in the long run?
Anyone suffering from parosmia has a distorted sense of smell, meaning something like a cup of coffee, the smell of which is pleasant and refreshing to many, could smell like rotten wastes, petrol or acidic substances. Imagine having to live with that.
As unusual as the condition may sound many have come to the fore and reported it. While there's no telling when the condition would clear off, in the same study-cum-survey, 49.3 percent of the respondents reported that their parosmia improved within 3 months. The remaining 50.7 percent said their parosmia lasted for over 3 months.
It has been noted that parosmia can impact a person's quality of life in the most severe way. Our sense of smell is something that connects us with the world around us. While eating, without the ability to smell, we cannot really relish our food. With parosmia, it is rather worse. Many have reported that the smell of the delicious foods, fragrant perfumes, all lose their original scent and instead a bad, rotten smell replaces it, making everything extremely displeasing.
Other long haul symptoms to watch out for
Post COVID is not just limited to your sense of smell, rather it can take a toll on other parts of your body too.
A person may continue to feel fatigued, breathless, and developing lingering symptoms such as persistent cough, joint pain, congestion, headache, brain fog and sleep problems. Additionally, loss of hair is also a common symptom reported in many.
Are there any treatments?
Those suffering with parosmia or anosmia, which is the permanent loss of smell, can indulge in smell training. It is said to be an effective natural remedy in treating patients with a distorted or impaired sense of smell. All people have to do is smell a series of four strong odors, preferably essential oils. Every scent needs to be sniffed for at least 20 seconds.
While there is no definite treatment for this condition, regular smell training can prove effective. Consistency is the key and smelling the same four odors repeatedly is said to be most effective.