Many concerns were in focus at the beginning of the pandemic; one of them was COVID-19’s possible long-term effects. We can now look back with a broader perspective, as experts examine the virus’ actual impact.
In this article, we discuss a recent study that examines the aftermath of COVID infections.
COVID’s lasting effects on the brain
Study findings on COVID’s lasting effects on the brain is associated with increased risks of neurological and psychiatric sequelae in the weeks and months thereafter — according to the study, titled “Neurological and psychiatric risk trajectories after SARS-CoV-2 infection: an analysis of 2-year retrospective cohort studies including 1,284,437 patients.” Sequelae are neurological and psychiatric conditions resulting from a prior illness or incident.
The study examined de-identified data from more than a million patients using an international health records network that drew from the records of patients who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 20, 2020, and April 13, 2022, were evaluated for 14 neurological and psychiatric diagnoses.
The study found that COVID-19 infection was linked to a higher instance of mood and anxiety disorders that typically declined after 1-2 months.
It also found that COVID-19 infection was associated with an increased risk of dementia, psychotic disorders, epilepsy or seizures and cognitive deficit, or “brain fog,” that remained elevated two years after patients were first diagnosed with the virus.
What exactly is the “international health records network” using to examine data?
Electronic health information exchange (HIE) allows doctors, nurses, pharmacists, other health care providers and patients to appropriately access and securely share a patient’s vital medical information electronically—improving the speed, quality, safety and cost of patient care.
Timely sharing of vital patient information can better inform decision making at the point of care and allow providers to:
- Avoid readmissions
- Avoid medication errors
- Improve diagnoses
- Decrease duplicate testing
COVID News from China
In Beijing rising COVID cases force China to shut down World’s Largest Electronics Market on August 28, 2022. China’s technology hub Shenzhen ordered the closure of the world’s largest electronics wholesale market to contain a recent spike in Coronavirus cases in the southern city, amidst a call by a leading Chinese think tank for a change in the country’s ‘zero-COVID’ policy that it said was causing widespread disruption of business.
Stay on top of new COVID information
We’ll keep you updated as new research emerges. For now, remember to continue taking care of yourself and others. Together, we’re making COVID-19 a thing of the past. In the meantime, stay on top of the latest news and information on COVID-19 keep getting tested!
Where to get COVID-19 treatment
As we continue to see COVID surges developing across the United States, let’s not forget to take care of ourselves and those we love.
A simple way to achieve this would be to get tested! Stay mindful of following the standard recommended precautions when interacting with the public.
Tested positive for COVID-19? We’re here to help you get the COVID treatment that is right for you.
