Persistent Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in Minia, Upper Egypt

Background: A significant number of COVID-19 survivors around the world have been reporting persistent symptoms following their recovery. Long COVID is recognized as a condition affecting not only the respiratory but also the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, immune, and hematopoietic systems. Objective: This study aimed to describe persistent symptoms in COVID-19 survivors six months post-infection in Minia, Upper Egypt, and investigate associated risk factors. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 189 hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19. Demographic data, symptom severity, comorbidities, and persistent symptoms were collected. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with long COVID, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: In total, 68.8% of participants were women, and 83.5% of patients reported at least one ongoing symptom. The most self-reported symptoms were fatigue (73.5%) and myalgia (45.5%), followed by dyspnea (43.3%). Age was associated with an increased risk of developing long COVID (OR 1.028, 95% CI 1.003-1.054, p = 0.030). Patients who were hospitalized during the acute phase had more than twice the risks of having persistent symptoms (OR 2.384, 95% CI 1.055-5.387, p = 0.037). Conclusions: A substantial proportion of COVID-19 survivors in Minia, Upper Egypt, continues to experience persistent symptoms, primarily constitutional and neurological manifestations. Many patients reported self-medicating with unprescribed antibiotics, highlighting a need for public awareness regarding viral infections and the risks associated with improper antibiotic use.