Underestimating Mild COVID Symptoms Leads to Loss of Smell and Memory Impairment... Concerns Over Long-Term Effects Grow

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 has become the dominant strain worldwide, concerns about long-term aftereffects are growing.

According to the Associated Press (AP) and other sources on the 31st (local time), common long COVID symptoms that persist for an extended period after COVID-19 infection include fatigue, memory or cognitive decline, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

Long COVID often occurs in patients who experienced severe illness and were hospitalized after infection, but it is also known to affect those with mild symptoms.

The AP cited medical estimates that more than one-third of infected individuals suffer from long COVID.

In response, experts suggest preparing for a surge in long COVID patients amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

A man is wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The exact cause of long COVID remains unknown, but several analyses have been proposed.

One analysis suggests that the virus remains in the body after the initial infection, causing inflammation or reactivation that leads to aftereffects.

Another hypothesis is that autoimmune responses triggered after infection cause the aftereffects.

Typically, when infected by pathogens like viruses, the body produces antibodies to block subsequent infections; however, autoantibodies formed after recovering from COVID-19 mistakenly attack normal self-cells as if they were foreign invaders.

Some also analyze that COVID-19 generates tiny blood clots, leading to aftereffects such as strokes and heart attacks.

Currently, there is no specifically approved treatment for long COVID. Some patients undergo physical therapy or take painkillers and medications for other conditions as substitute treatments.

Meanwhile, recent studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of long COVID.

According to a study announced by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) on the 26th, among 6,000 adults surveyed, 9.5% of the vaccinated group experienced long COVID, compared to 14.6% in the unvaccinated group.

Research from the United States and Israel also indicates that receiving the vaccine before contracting COVID-19 can prevent long COVID or at least alleviate its symptoms.

The AP reported that although neither study has undergone peer review, experts are tentatively viewing the findings positively.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.