Long COVID: A New Disease Caused by a New Pathogen

Abstract

Long COVID refers to persistent health issues following SARS-CoV2 infection, lasting three months or longer. Multiple symptoms pertaining to several organ systems have been described. It is therefore a constellation of conditions, rather than a singular disease entity. Studies from India and elsewhere have revealed similar observations. A substantial number of people who suffer from Long COVID will not show up on official medical records because their symptoms might get attributed to other known conditions. In addition, some individuals might not seek medical attention due to the insidious nature of symptoms. With an incidence of at least 5% with prevailing variants, the socio-economic impact of this condition is huge, yet under-recognised. Four years since the pandemic's arrival, COVID-19's individual severity may have decreased, yet Long COVID remains a perplexing problem with no clear solution.