New Delhi: A recent study, conducted by Christian Medical College, Vellore, revealed that post-Covid infection a larger proportion of Indian population suffered with persisting symptoms for months and had lung function impairment. While the pandemic seems to be over, the dangers of post complications still looms over. According to the study, the Indians experienced more lung damage as compared to Europeans and Chinese.
The researchers observed 207 individuals to study the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on lungs. The study, published in Global Health Journal, analysed patients and conducted a complete lung function tests, six- minute walk, blood tests and quality of life assessments after two months of recovery from the infection.
The findings of the study were quite worrying with respect to the Indian population. The researchers found that the ability to transfer oxygen from air to the bloodstream was affected 44 per cent. As per the experts, this percentage is very less and very worrying. Moreover, the ability of the lungs to inflate air as they breathe was affected by 35 per cent and 8.3 per cent effect was seen on the ability to move air in and out of the lungs.
Earlier, Dr Ishwar Gilada, an infectious disease expert shared with News9, that the COVID-19 pathology was mostly targeting the lungs. He said that, Like every virus, COVID-19 also left its scars behind. Even people with mild disease may notice symptoms which are affecting their physical and mental health. Long Covid is the persistent symptoms of the disease but post-Covid is the long term damage the virus has done.
Whichever organ the virus entered during the peak years, there are high chances that it will damage that organ. The diagnostics may come after few years.
Another study, published in journal Radiology, revealed that even after two years of COVID-19, patients were identified with persistent lung abnormalities. Globally, more than 600 million people have recovered from COVID-19, but concerns remain that some organs, especially the lungs, may suffer long-term damage after infection, the study said.
