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The COVID-19 vaccine offers hope to overcome the pandemic. Unfortunately, scientists are starting to see another problem. It is becoming increasingly clear that there are people who have defeated the coronavirus but have not recovered. Many of them experience serious neurological disorders, including strokes and seizures. “This is one of the unique and devastating features of this virus.”
- COVID-19 is not “only” a threat to the respiratory system, but also to the nervous system – the brain, spinal cord and nerves
- People who have survived COVID-19 also experience neurological complications, including stroke, seizures, confusion, delirium
- It is not known how long these people will experience neurological disorders. It is also unclear whether they will get back the life they knew before the pandemic
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
COVID-19 as a threat to the nervous system
Already in spring, scientists suspected that COVID-19 was not “only” a threat to the respiratory system, but also to the nervous system – the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Subsequent studies confirmed these concerns, although it was not clear how the pathogen gets there. In early December, a possible answer appeared. A multidisciplinary team of specialists from Germany has determined that SARS-CoV-2 most likely enters the brain through the nose, and more precisely through the nerve fibers in its mucosa.
The effect of coronavirus entry into the brain are neurological symptoms, not only headaches and dizziness, fatigue or loss or disturbance of smell or taste, but also possible stroke or delirium (delirium). Unfortunately, it turns out that people who have overcome the coronavirus infection also experience neurological complications. And they are often serious complications that require specialist treatment.
- COVID-19 patients can suffer from “brain fog”. It lasts for months
These particular complications after COVID-19 relate to the ability to meaningfully interact with the world. I think this is one of the unique and devastating features of this virus, said Dr. Pria Anand, assistant professor of neuroscience at the Boston University School of Medicine and lead author of a study on neurological disorders in survivors. The results were published in the journal Neurology. The findings are worrying.
Stroke, epilepsy, delirium – complications after undergoing COVID-19
Researchers analyzed data from 921 people (average age is approximately 64) who stayed at Boston Medical Center from April 15 to July 1 due to COVID-19. 74 people required an examination by a neurologist, 47 had previously experienced neurological problems.
- A new early symptom of COVID-19 has been identified. May be disturbing
Focusing on patients with persistent nervous system symptoms, the researchers found that 18 of them had a stroke after SARS-CoV-2 infection, 15 had seizures, and 26 had a form of brain dysfunction causing confusion and delirium (delirium). A further seven experienced movement disorders, and three patients suffered traumatic brain injuries associated with falls at home (after contracting COVID-19).
Of those hospitalized who experienced neurological complications after COVID-19, 27 returned home. About 20 people required constant care in qualified nursing facilities, including 11 who lived at home before hospitalization. Five people were provided with hospice care. The study also found that many convalescents who entered the hospital with mild neurological impairment were discharged home with a moderate degree of disability.
Neurological complications after COVID-19 – what could be the cause?
What could be the cause of neurological problems after defeating COVID-19? According to Dr. Orly Avitzur of the American Academy of Neurology (she was not involved in the study described above), “neurological complications may be due to the direct effects of the coronavirus, but are more often a reflection of the nervous system’s response to infection.”
- How does COVID-19 damage the brain?
For example, low oxygen levels, common in COVID-19 patients, can cause encephalopathy or brain damage that could prove to be permanent, he explains. In her opinion, one of the reasons may also be the body’s immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection – the released inflammatory molecules can be toxic to the brain and cause a change in consciousness or confusion (this condition may persist for months).
Dr. Orly Avitzur points out, however, that this study looked at neurological patients during their hospitalization or 30 days before admission, which does not allow the long-term consequences of these effects to be assessed, so further research is needed. – After nine months of the pandemic, we cannot yet predict the consequences of these complications. We will probably collect this data for many years, she said.
Unfortunately, it is not yet known how long these people will experience neurological disorders caused by coronavirus infection. It is unclear if they will get back the lives they knew before the pandemic.
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