Long-Term Effects of COVID: Study Reveals Persistent Symptoms in Majority of Patients After 3 Years

A new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that over half of the people who recover from COVID-19 experience lingering symptoms for up to three years. Among 1,359 COVID patients in China, 54% still had at least one symptom three years after contracting the virus. Most of the symptoms were mild to moderate in severity. The study also revealed that patients with long COVID had a higher risk of pneumonia or repeat cases of COVID with the omicron variant. However, despite the presence of lingering symptoms, these patients did not have worse lung function compared to those without an infection. Getting vaccinated and receiving boosters can decrease the risk of persistent symptoms.