We all know COVID – 19 had a significant impact on our lives. It also had a significant impact on our mental health due to the pandemic. Many people faced issues other than medical problems, like financial problems, loneliness, etc.
COVID – 19 is a respiratory disease whose infection emerged from the City of Wuhan in China in the year 2019. In simple terms, the virus from the family of coronaviruses named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 which is also called as SARS-CoV-2. SARS-Cov-2 causes pneumonia. The World Health Organization (WHO) later changed the name SARS-CoV-2 to COVID-19. Fever, dry cough, fatigue, etc., are some of the most common symptoms. We kept track of both symptomatic and asymptomatic instances.
The virus first exposed in the seafood market in Wuhan City, in the Hubei Province, China. The Family of coronaviruses contain viruses like SARS-Cov , MERS-Cov and SARS-Cov-2. Even if the fatality rate of SARS-CoV –2 is the least in comparison with all three. But SARS-CoV-2 initiated primary human infections. This primary spread was by human-to-human transmission.
What is PASC?
PASC (Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19) is the persistence of clinical symptoms. PASC can be diagnosed after persistent symptoms for 4 weeks from acute symptoms. According to CDC (Centre for Disease Control), put together the “Post-Covid Conditions” which includes:
- Long COVID
- Effects of COVID-19 on Multiorgan system
- Effects of treatment and hospitalization for COVID-19
Symptoms of Long Covid can be seen as fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, headaches, sleep disturbances and brain fog or cognitive impairment. Brain fog and Fatigue are seen to be the most common symptoms of Long Covid.
NIH (National Institutes of Health) Conducted Study:
In the study a sample of twelve people undergoing persistent neurological symptoms after the infection of SARS-CoV-2 was deeply studied. The results found that the individual’s body showed immune cell profiles differences with autonomic dysfunction.
Researchers used a deep phenotyping approach on 12 people who had persistent, disabling neurological symptoms. They used it to identify clinical and biochemical characteristics of Long-Covid. Participants undertook extensive testing, which contained questionnaires, clinical exam, advanced brain imaging, blood, and CSF (Cerebrospinal fluids) tests, and autonomic functions tests at NIH Clinical Centre. According to new research, Long-Covid affects the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary biological functions including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
In conclusion, the result of the study gives proof that widespread immunological and autonomic nervous system changes can contribute to Long-Covid. This can help understand the condition better and navigate new possible therapeutic ways like immunotherapy.