Long-Term Manifestations of COVID-19: A Review

Although most coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases resolve within a few weeks after the onset of infection, a considerable number of patients still suffer from prolonged or recurrent symptoms evident after weeks or months post-COVID-19 recovery. This paper analyzed the current literature related to long-term manifestations of COVID-19 and aimed to identify the common symptoms reported four weeks or more after the initial onset of the disease. COVID-19 has been shown to have lasting systemic effects on an array of organ systems, such as the lungs, heart, brain, and gastrointestinal systems. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, fatigue, brain fog, respiratory difficulties, and loss of taste and smell. The impact of COVID-19 on multiple organ systems is thought to be associated with its ability to bind angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors throughout the body and promote cytokine release. This study provides insight into common long-term manifestations of COVID-19. Future studies should look at how long COVID-19 syndrome affects various subpopulations differently.