San Francisco, California – Long covid, a condition characterized by lingering symptoms that can persist for months or even years after contracting the virus, remains a topic of significant uncertainty. Researchers have identified over 200 symptoms associated with the virus, highlighting the complexity of its impact on the body. Despite the lack of a definitive diagnostic test or cure, evidence suggests that long covid has the potential to affect millions of individuals, posing challenges not only to their health but also to society as a whole.
Recent studies released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shed light on the long-term consequences of covid-19. The first study, published in June, focused on the potential disability and impairment caused by long covid, while the second study, released a few days later, provided a consensus definition to guide patients, healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers in understanding and addressing this chronic condition.
According to the newly established definition, long covid is described as a chronic condition that arises after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, lasting for at least three months. It is characterized by continuous, relapsing, or progressive symptoms affecting one or more organ systems. The condition can manifest in various ways, ranging from mild to severe, impacting individuals of all ages and demographic groups, and exacerbating preexisting health conditions.
Symptoms of long covid include chronic fatigue, cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances, muscle and joint pain, and cognitive impairment commonly referred to as “brain fog.” The condition can affect individuals across different age groups and demographics, with no specific diagnostic test available. Research also suggests that individuals hospitalized with covid are at a higher risk of experiencing serious health complications in the years following their infection.
Researchers are still in the early stages of understanding the mechanisms and health implications of long covid. Questions remain regarding the additional burden it may impose on individuals already dealing with underlying health conditions. The potential rise in disability claims due to long covid-related impairments could pose a significant financial challenge to governments and social support systems.
The Social Security Administration currently offers disability benefits through two programs, SSDI and SSI, with millions of Americans receiving support. Despite the absence of long covid in the agency’s listing of impairments, applicants can establish disability through medical evidence of chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, and autonomic dysfunction. As the number of individuals reporting long covid symptoms continues to rise, authorities are expanding their guidance to accommodate these applicants.
As the nation anticipates a potential wave of illness and impairment related to long covid, there is a pressing need to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. With millions of individuals experiencing long-term symptoms, accurate and compassionate support will be essential to navigate this evolving health crisis.