In serious cases, covid-19 symptoms can linger for a long time

IT HAS BEEN nearly a year since a mysterious, pneumonia-like illness originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan was first reported outside China. For many, the intervening months have felt interminable, like living with a recurrent disease they cannot shake. Some actually are. Although most bouts of covid-19 are mild, lasting only one or two weeks, many people are left with lingering symptoms weeks or even months after infection.

Recent research, published in the Lancet, a medical journal, offers more insight into how long those severely afflicted with covid-19 suffer. The study followed 1,733 patients hospitalised in Wuhan between January and March 2020. It found that, six months on, 76% were still experiencing at least one symptom. Fatigue and muscle weakness were the most common (63%), followed by sleep disturbances (26%), hair loss (22%) and problems with the sense of smell (11%). Problems with anxiety and depression were also reported. Those most unwell during their time in hospital also exhibited signs of impaired lung function; chest imaging detected abnormalities, which could indicate organ damage. Old age increases vulnerability to covid-19. But the median age of people in the study was 57, meaning that half were working-age adults.