Doctors learn more about long-term effects of those recovering from COVID-19

The UO Health doctor said the list of long-term effects of COVID appears to be growing.

This is why they always urge people to take it seriously, not knowing how it will affect someone after they are healed.

“There are actual websites right now where patients can type in the symptoms they are experiencing long term and that’s a different way of looking at the data than a study that only investigates all the people who survive,” said Dr. Dale Bratzler, COVID Director of OU Health.

There are many studies that have captured what is called long-haul syndrome.

“Of those who get it, about a third will develop long-term symptoms,” Bratlzer said.

While doctors and researchers have a lot to learn when it comes to COVID-19, Bratlzer said a majority of people experience fatigue for up to six months after recovering from the virus.

Another common symptom is “brain fog”.

“Difficulty concentrating or memory loss. It’s more common in older people, but it can present for some time after a person recovers,” Bratzler said.

But he said put it in perspective 40 to sometimes up to 70% of people who recover, which most do, have no long-term symptoms.