Most of the infected patients completely recovered after covid-19 infection. However, a substantial proportion of patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 continue to have symptoms long past the time that they recovered from the initial phases of covid-19 disease. At NICE guideline,
1. Acute covid-19: signs and symptoms of covid-19 for up to 4 weeks,
2. Ongoing symptomatic covid-19: signs and symptoms of covid-19 from 4 to 12 weeks,
3. Post-covid-19 syndrome: signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with covid-19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.
In addition to the clinical case definitions, ‘long covid’ is commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute covid-19. As the pandemic of covid-19 continues, numerous additional symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, myalgias, vomiting or diarrhea, headache and weakness. Other critical and severe complications of covid-19 can include impaired function of the heart, brain, lung, liver, kidney, and coagulation system. Early reports have now emerged on post-acute infectious consequences of covid-19, with studies from the United States, Europe and China reporting outcomes for those who survived hospitalization for acute covid-19. An observational cohort study from 38 hospitals in Michigan, United States evaluated the outcomes of 1,250 patients discharged alive at 60 day. Of 488 patients who completed the telephone survey in this study, 32.6% of patients reported persistent symptoms. Dyspnea while walking up the stairs 22.9% was most commonly reported, while other symptoms included cough 15.4% and persistent loss of taste/smell 13.1%. Post-hospital discharge care of COVID-19 survivors has been recognized as a major research priority by professional organizations.