People Suffering from 'Long COVID'... As Aftereffects Intensify, Hospitals Face 'Individual Battles'

[Unfinished COVID-19] Government to Investigate Only in March... Midterm Results in Second Half
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"Government Must Establish Symptom and Diagnosis Criteria"

Photo of a post-COVID-19 sequelae clinic.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Mr. A, a man in his 60s who recovered from COVID-19 after being infected in February, experienced persistent shortness of breath and difficulty breathing for over a month even after his quarantine was lifted. As the symptoms continued to interfere with his daily life, Mr. A eventually visited a COVID-19 aftereffects clinic operated by a hospital in the Seoul metropolitan area. Test results revealed abnormal lung function, and Mr. A is currently undergoing additional tests along with medication treatment.

From February to early April this year, during the Omicron variant surge, 17 million new confirmed cases emerged, leading many to suffer from what is commonly called ‘Long COVID syndrome,’ referring to long-term aftereffects of COVID-19. According to the medical community on the 30th, although cases where COVID aftereffects lead to hospitalization are not common, there is an increasing number of patients experiencing discomfort in daily life due to fatigue and frequent coughing. However, domestic investigations into COVID aftereffects only began in earnest at the end of March, and there are no established treatment guidelines yet.

Patients Suffering from ‘Long COVID’

The spread of COVID aftereffects was already anticipated. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously defined COVID aftereffects in October last year as symptoms that start within three months of infection, last for at least two months, and cannot be explained by other diagnoses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines it as symptoms that persist, recur, or newly appear four weeks or more after COVID infection.

However, little research has been conducted domestically. The National Institute of Health, in collaboration with the National Medical Center, Kyungpook National University Hospital, and Yonsei University Medical Center, conducted surveys revealing that 20-79% of patients experienced aftereffects. However, these surveys were conducted before the Omicron variant spread, had small sample sizes, and varied in subjects and survey content across institutions, resulting in significant differences in reported aftereffect rates. The quarantine authorities only began a survey of 1,000 people in March, with interim results expected to be announced in the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, the number of patients complaining of COVID-19 aftereffects has surged. In fact, Myongji Hospital, which opened an aftereffects clinic in March, has seen about 3,000 patients to date. An analysis of 1,077 patients showed that the most common aftereffect symptom was cough (31%). This was followed by general weakness (13%), bronchitis (9%), breathing difficulties (9%), esophagitis (8%), gastritis (7%), and abnormal sputum (7%). There were 178 cases where poor basic test results or findings requiring continuous management were observed, leading to referrals for multidisciplinary consultation. Ha Eun-hye, head of the COVID-19 Aftereffects Clinic at Myongji Hospital, said, "Most patients visiting the clinic complain of two or three or more complex symptoms," adding, "It is important to comprehensively address aftereffects through multidisciplinary consultation and, in severe cases, to continue appropriate treatment through follow-up in specialized departments."

Hospitals Fighting ‘Individual Battles’

With virtually no government-level response or support for COVID aftereffects, hospitals at various levels have started operating aftereffects clinics to cope. Due to the large number of patients complaining of aftereffects, clinics first conduct basic tests and interviews, then establish a multidisciplinary consultation system linked with specialized departments. In Seoul, tertiary hospitals such as Gangnam Severance Hospital and Ewha Mokdong Hospital, as well as university hospitals including Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, and Nowon Eulji University Hospital, have joined in operating aftereffects clinics. These clinics identify causes of symptoms through blood tests and X-rays and provide treatment and management based on medication and multidisciplinary consultation.

The Korean traditional medicine community has also opened aftereffects clinics offering traditional treatments. Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine has opened COVID recovery clinics at 21 Jaseng Korean Medicine hospitals and clinics nationwide, providing treatments such as herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, and Chuna manual therapy. A representative from Jaseng Hospital said, "We opened the clinic around mid-last month, and the number of patients visiting continues to increase." It is estimated that about 50 hospitals nationwide currently operate aftereffects clinics.

Experts point out the urgent need for government-level standards and guidelines. Even if only 20-30% of Omicron variant infected patients develop aftereffects, millions of patients could suffer from them. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "The government should establish symptom and diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 aftereffects and create treatment guidelines, especially since multidisciplinary treatment is needed for respiratory, cardiac, and musculoskeletal systems," adding, "It should also clarify the extent of support it will provide within the health insurance system."

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