Update to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Caring for the 'long-haulers'

Susan Vehar; Marina Boushra; Prince Ntiamoah; Michelle Biehl

doi:10.3949/ccjm.88a.21010-up

Update to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Caring for the 'long-haulers'

Cleve Clin J Med. 2021 Oct 8. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.88a.21010-up. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Susan Vehar¹, Marina Boushra², Prince Ntiamoah³, Michelle Biehl³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Critical Care Medicine; Department of Pulmonary Medicine; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH vehars@ccf.org.
² Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
³ Department of Critical Care Medicine; Department of Pulmonary Medicine; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

PMID: 34625436
DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.88a.21010-up

Abstract

An estimated 10% of COVID-19 survivors continue to experience symptoms several weeks to months after the appearance of initial symptoms, a condition termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). These patients, also called "long-haulers," most commonly report protracted symptoms of fatigue, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, difficulty concentrating, arthralgia, olfactory dysfunction, and headache. While age, comorbid medical conditions, and COVID-19 severity are suspected risk factors for PASC, young and previously healthy individuals with mild COVID-19 are also at risk. Recognition of symptoms, evaluation, supportive treatment, and attention to medical comorbidities are the cornerstones of medical management.