Though hospitalizations in America have peaked, hundreds of thousands of Americans are still testing positive every day. All people who had COVID-19 infections, whether they were hospitalized or only had slight symptoms, can experience long COVID.
Long Covid is a condition that arises after acute infection and often includes shortness of breath, fatigue, and “brain fog” but can also involve a wide range of debilitating problems in the heart, brain, lungs, gut, and other organs. These symptoms last for many months after the person initially recovers from the disease. Many doctors do not even acknowledge the existence of Long COVID, so those who suffer have no options for treatment.
The Omicron variant which is far more infectious that previous variants of COVID, seems to be causing similar symptoms as previous variants. It should not be treated as mild, and the long-term effects are still unknown. Research shows that even mild cases of COVID-19 can trigger long COVID.
Covid brain fog, is similar to “chemo brain,” which is a mind-numbing side effect that cancer patients endure when therapy to burn tumors away also inflames the brain. A person experiencing brain fog, has difficulty doing simple math, concentrating for more than a few minutes, or finding the right words.
A new study out of Israel which is not yet pier reviewed, has found that long COVID-19 symptoms are less likely in fully vaccinated people, according to Nature.