Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2025
A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
Post-COVID-19 manifestations among college students: shedding the light on young adults' health
Areej Abed Alkhormani1, Reema Abdullah Alghamdi1, Yara Abdulaziz Damdam1
1College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Post-COVID-19 syndrome refers to a variety of symptoms that affect different organs in the body and can persist 28 days following exposure to COVID-19. Previous studies have shown that COVID-19 affects not only elderly individuals but also young adults. However, the influence of post-COVID-19 syndrome on young adults has not been studied sufficiently. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of post-COVID-19 manifestations in young adults.
Methods:
An analytical cross-sectional online questionnaire was distributed from July 2022 to July 2023 to health sciences students in Saudi Arabia. The study used a non-probability convenience sampling technique, and the sample size was calculated to be 464. The survey included questions about the participants' demographics, health records, COVID-19 results, duration of infection, and previous and current COVID-19 symptoms. Illness severity and management were evaluated using the COVID Experiences (COVEX) Symptoms and Diagnoses module, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression.
Results:
According to the inclusion criteria, 428 participants were divided into three groups: those who fully recovered within 14 days of the acute phase (76.4%), those with prolonged symptoms that resolved within 28 days (16.8%), and those with persistent symptoms for more than 28 days (6.8%). The symptom development frequency during the acute phase significantly differed among the three groups: headache (p = 0.038), loss of smell and taste (p = < 0.001), and fatigue (p = 0.009). The symptoms that significantly differed between the prolonged group and persistent group during the post-COVID-19 syndrome phase were loss of smell and taste (p = < 0.001) and shortness of breath (p = < 0.001). The study results revealed that females are susceptible to long-COVID-19. This study revealed that the overall severity of post-COVID-19 symptoms was mild in this age group. The PHQ-9 score when comparing the three groups showed a significant association with depression (p = 0.035).
Conclusion:
The study results support the perception that not only can the geriatric population suffer from post-COVID-19 syndrome but also that young adults are prone to persistent symptoms such as loss of smell and taste, which may affect their mental health status.
Related Concept Videos
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:28Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
01:05Long-term Depression