Studies are showing that even mild cases of COVID can continue to produce “long-haul” symptoms. Overall, nearly 33% of COVID-19 patients who suffered through their illness at home and 31% of hospitalized patients reported at least one symptom from the disease that persisted months later researchers have found.

Researchers are providing new insight into the long term affects of the coronavirus.

COVID Symptoms Persist
The most persistent symptoms are fatigue (14%) and loss of smell and taste (14%). Brain fog or memory complaints were reported in about 2% of the patients.

Brain fog is particularly debilitating to those who do intellectual work and often work from home via computer. These persons find it difficult to focus on the computer for long periods of time, and the bright lights give them headaches. As a result productivity goes down and frustration levels go up.

Nearly 31% of patients said they had a worse health-related quality of life now, compared to before getting COVID-19.  According to recent research that has yet to be peer-reviewed, many long-haulers cannot return to work or do normal activities because of brain fog, pain or debilitating fatigue.

What Are Your Chances?
If you contract COVID-19 there's a good chance you could experience lingering health effects. About 27% of patients between 18 and 39 years of age reported persistent symptoms, compared with 30% of those between 40 and 64, and 43% of those aged 65 and older, the findings showed.

Nearly 28 million COVID-19 infections have been reported in the United States, which mean millions of Americans could suffer from symptoms that last months and possibly years. “If you take 30% of those whose quality of life could be potentially impacted in the next six to nine months, we're talking about huge numbers," one researcher noted.

Still Figuring It Out
The medical community still does not know just how long these symptoms will persist or why they occur. These research results show why everyone should protect themselves against coronavirus infection.  This means getting vaccinated, wear a mask when in public, and continue to social distance. 

COVID 19 Tests Available
Blackbird Clinical Services offers COVID 19 antibody tests for those wanting to know if they have had the disease and PCR tests for those wanting to know if they currently have COVID 19.  Please note, the antibody test is a rapid test with results in 10 minutes while the PCR is a saliva lab-based test with results within 48-72 hours from collection. No appointment necessary for either!