There is growing concern over the aftereffect of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on survivors; it is feared that survivors still suffer fatigue, racing hearts and breathlessness months after testing negative for the disease.
Studies are reporting a range of neurological and neurophysiological complications, including confusion, stroke, heart damage, life-threatening blood clots in the arteries of the legs, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, among others.
However, hopes that COVID-19 survivors have long-lasting immunity are growing, as scientists now believe crucial disease-fighting stay in the body for many years.
Regarding life after surviving COVID-19, Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, a consultant epidemiologist, told The Guardian: “There have been various accounts from people about their experience post-COVID-19. Many have fully recovered, while others still experience symptoms, such as fatigue. Like many infectious diseases, there are risks of health challenges after recovery, but most times, these risks are dependent on individual characteristics, such as age, underlying illness, etc.
“It is very important that people, who have recovered from infectious diseases, including COVID-19, should be deliberate about protecting their health by eating healthy, engaging in moderate physical activity, avoiding stressors, such as smoking, etc.
“We must always remember that we are only six months into this disease and to understand the long-term impact requires time.”