Eye problems, dementia common post Covid recovery

New Delhi, April 16

Breathlessness, eye problems, muscle weakness, dementia, weight loss, concentration issues and disturbed sleep cycle have been commonly observed among people months after recovery from coronavirus infection, healthcare specialists said.

25-50 age group

Hit hardest by long Covid

They said that even though cases of Covid were plateauing in India, many instances of long Covid were being observed with varied symptoms.

Covid-19 impact

Long Covid also has an impact on the neurological system, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems. — Dr Rakesh Pandit, Doctor in Delhi

There is no definitive number of long Covid patients officially. But according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), current evidence suggests approximately 10-20 per cent of people experience a variety of mid and long-term effects after they recover from the initial infection.

It is usually seen three months from the onset of Covid infection and lasts for at least two months.

India has recorded the second-highest number of Covid cases after the US. In India, 4,30,40,947 people contracted the infection and 5,21,747 people lost their lives due to the disease.

Dr Rakesh Pandit, senior consultant and head of the department of internal medicine at Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka, said the age group of 25 to 50 years has been hit hardest by long Covid.

“The lungs of those who were on Non-Invasive Ventilation or ventilator assistance during the Covid waves are now showing permanent damage. Long Covid also has an impact on the neurological system, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems,” he said.

The doctor said progressive dyspnea, a condition characterised by breathlessness, is one of the most typical symptoms of long Covid. —