The Neurological After Effects from Covid-19 Infection

The Neurological After Effects from Covid-19 Infection

Among the many physical after effects one acquires from contracting Covid-19, neuro related dysfunctionalities have been reported to be most common among survivors. Although a respiratory illness, for some Covid-19 ‘’Long Haulers’’ – a term that denotes people dealing with various health challenges months after recovering from the virus – the impact this illness can have on a person’s mental health is severe. One important reason sighted for this is the virus’s ability to bypass the natural protective barrier present inside the brain to guard against infection.

No single age group has been identified to be free from the risk of getting psychiatric disorders. Anxiety, loss of concentration, insomnia, nerve disorders, and loss of smell and taste are some of the widely observed symptoms of post-Covid-19 recovery. Experts are of the opinion that these psychiatric abnormalities can last upto 6 months after getting the illness. It needs to be clarified that the prevalence of serious brain disorders is higher in survivors who had been hospitalized.

Loss of smell and taste

Smell and taste disorder has also been the most common early symptom of Covid-19. In the scientific community this has been identified as olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions.

Headache

Headache including dizziness have been experienced even in the most mild cases of Covid-19.

Cognitive effects

Most neurological effects caused by the Covid-19 is because of high inflammation, which is again a result of an abnormal immuno response of the body to this disease. This can manifest itself in attention disorders, memory, depression and post traumatic disorder (PTSD).

Stroke

Stroke cases have also been reportedly to be rare, again highly common in patients who were hospitalized. This occurs when the vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked. Patients over 70 years of age are highly susceptible to having a stroke.

There is yet to be more research done with regards to the exact extent of the neurological fall out one face both in the short and long term due to Covid-19, however, experts believe that most symptoms resolve eventually by themselves. Nevertheless, one should not take them lightly if they continue to linger on and seek a neurologist’s help immediately.