Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a trail of long-term consequences for both those infected with the virus and those who received some of the world's most widely praised vaccines. These long-lasting effects are proving to be quite profound and complex.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine assessed the physical, mental, and social health of COVID-19 patients 60 days after discharge. The researchers surveyed 488 patients, revealing that:

33% (159/488) of these patients experienced persistent COVID-19 symptoms, with 19% reporting worsening symptoms over time.

Persistent COVID-19 symptoms included:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (24%)

• Chest pain (17%)

• Cough (15%)

• Complete loss of smell and taste (13%)

The 13% of patients who lost their sense of smell or taste is particularly concerning to scientists as it significantly impacts quality of life and is rarely seen in other illnesses. Additionally, there are a total of 55 persistent COVID-19 symptoms, with the five most common being:

• Fatigue or lack of energy (58%)

• Headache (44%)

• Cognitive impairment (27%)

• Hair loss (25%)

• Shortness of breath (24%)

Furthermore, in February 2024, AstraZeneca, a company that has supplied billions of COVID-19 vaccine doses worldwide, acknowledged that its COVID-19 vaccine may cause blood clots and is facing over 100 lawsuits alleging that it has caused dozens of deaths and serious injuries.

These emerging concerns highlight the severity and urgency of the situation for global human health and the challenges that government agencies, healthcare organizations, and healthcare corporations are currently facing.