Virus patients face months of extreme tiredness and lack of breath

Follow-up clinics find high proportion who cannot return to normal life, with rise in demand for aftercare

RECOVERED coronavirus patients could suffer “extreme tiredness and shortness of breath for several months”, government scientists have warned.

Newly-released papers by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies show concern that the virus may cause long-term health problems.

Its meeting of May 7 discussed complications that have now been linked to Covid-19, including strokes, kidney disease and dysfunctions of other organs.

Scientists expressed concern that the novel virus may have long-term effects, which could last for several months.

After discussing rare complications and symptoms of the disease, the minutes state: “Sage also noted the existence of longer-term health sequelae (such as the persistence of extreme tiredness and shortness of breath for several months) and the importance of monitoring these impacts through longer-term cohort studies.”

One scientific adviser to the Government said that follow-up clinics of patients who survived the acute illness found “a very high proportion who cannot get back to a normal life”. Research is continuing to investigate how long the effects may last for.

Last week, the head of the NHS warned that thousands of people may need help to recover from the damage caused by the virus.

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said: “While our country is emerging from the initial peak of coronavirus, we’re now seeing a substantial new need for rehab and aftercare.

“Some may need care for tracheostomy wounds, ongoing therapy to recover heart, lung and muscle function, psychological treatment for post-intensive care syndrome and cognitive impairment, while others may need social care support for their everyday needs like washing and dressing,” he said.

Last week, the first NHS hospital dedicated to helping coronavirus patients recover from the long-term effects of the illness received its first patients. Surrey’s NHS Seacole Centre opened at Headley Court, a former rehab centre for injured soldiers.

The model will be rolled out across the country, with a focus particularly on helping those in need of neuro-rehabilitation, respiratory and cardiac complications.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists said it was “incredibly worried about what we think might be a tsunami in demand that we do not have services to respond to”.

The society said urgent action was needed to ensure patients were given help.

Research suggests delirium is common among patients admitted to Intensive Care Units with Covid-19.

Patients can also suffer loss of mobility after being kept in wards for weeks, suffering muscle wastage as well as damage to the lungs after treatment on a ventilator.

In many cases, patients recovering from Covid-19 may suffer more than

‘Many people who have apparently recovered then come back saying that things are not right’

one long-term effect, with some needing help to walk again, while suffering from flashbacks and emotional distress after experiencing hallucinations and confusion.

Experts said that even some patients whose illness was not acute enough to require hospitalisation could end up needing “rehab” care for as long as two months. Research suggests around one in 20 Covid patients experience longterm symptoms for at least a month.

Prof Peter Openshaw, from the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, warned of “alarming” evidence about the impact the disease could have on other organs, and about its long-term effects.

“Many people who have apparently recovered then come back saying that things are not right, they have a diversity of long-term effects, and we’re seeing in our follow-up clinics a very high proportion who really cannot get back to a normal life because of the delayed effects of this virus,” he said.