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COVID-19 is believed to mean long illness for weeks, even in young adults and without chronic illness, mild illness, and even when treated outpatiently. Investigation result Today’s Weekly morbidity and mortality report From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Mark W. Tenforde, MD, PhD, and his colleagues on the CDC-COVID-19 response team conducted a multistate telephone survey of symptomatic adults who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Researchers found that when interviewed 2-3 weeks after the test, 35% did not return to normal health.
Of the 270 out of 274 people interviewed who had data on return to health, 175 (65%) reported returning to baseline health for an average of 7 days from the date of testing.
Of 274 symptomatic outpatients, the median symptom was 7. Fatigue (71%), cough (61%), and headache (61%) was the most commonly reported symptom.
Adults, especially those in the elderly, who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 are often described as prolonging the disease, but little is known about the other groups.
The percentage of those who did not return to health varied by age: 26% of interviewees aged 18 to 34, 32% of interviewees aged 35 to 49, and 47% of interviewees aged 50 and older. Reported not returning to normal health (P = .010) Within 14-21 days after receiving positive test result.
19% (9/48) of 18-34 year-olds without chronic illness reported not returning to normal health during that period.
The authors state that it is particularly important to address public health messages to young adults, a group that is not expected to have a mild illness over the next few weeks.
Kailuanen DO, Deputy Director of Blood Transfusion Services and Patient Blood Management at the Colorado Children’s Hospital and Assistant Professor of Pathology at the University of Colorado, Denver, said: Medscape Medical News The key message is that delayed recovery (symptoms of fatigue, coughing, shortness of breath) was evident in nearly a quarter of 18-34 years and in a third of 35-49 years. Not ill enough to require hospitalization.
“This should affect the perception that this is a mild illness in the young adult population and encourage them to follow social distance, masking, and handwashing recommendations,” she said.
She said that recovery times of two weeks or more affect work and school performance, especially prolonged fatigue. This was one of the prominent symptoms reported to have slow dissipation.
“I think the most interesting aspect of this study is the underlying illness. I think mental illness was significantly associated with long-term recovery. I don’t think many think. depression COVID-19 Anxiety as a fundamental medical condition for risk. This could potentially have an impact, as the rate of depression and anxiety may increase as COVID-19 continues,” she said.
Buddy Creech, MD, MPH said Medscape Medical News“It is important to understand that the spectrum of diseases of COVID is broad, including mild, severe, and long-term illness. This report identifies some risk factors for people with long-term symptoms. Helps to understand and further clarify how to prioritize treatment and vaccination as they become available.
“It also highlights the challenges of coping with this virus. Not only do the symptoms vary significantly, but so does the latency, duration of symptoms, and sometimes residual symptoms. There’s still a lot to do, about this virus,” he said.
Interviews took place from April 15th to June 25th, over the age of 18 who received the first positive SARS-CoV-2 test result during an outpatient visit in one of 14 US academic health systems in 13 states. It was done using a random sample of adults. ..
Annen and Creech do not disclose related financial relationships.
Morb Mortal Wkly Rev. Published July 24, 2020 online. Full text
Marcia Frellick is a freelance journalist based in Chicago. She has previously contributed to the Chicago Tribune and Nurse.com and was the editor of the Chicago Sun Times, Cincinnati Enquirer and The St Cloud (Minnesota) Times. Follow her on Twitter @mfrellick..
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