Latest on long-term effects of COVID-19

What is PASC?

Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), sometimes called long-COVID or post-COVID syndrome (PCS), is being increasingly documented. Those with PASC are survivors of COVID-19 who continue to experience symptoms beyond their initial infection or those who have new symptoms that initiate after infection. Unfortunately, a consensus has not yet been reached as to a formal definition of PASC, but informally much of the literature considers it to be symptom presence beyond 28-30 days after the initial infection. Some studies have found that over half of COVID-19 survivors have at least 1 PASC symptom 6 months following their COVID-19 diagnosis. 

How does PASC present?

PASC affects many body systems including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurologic, and pulmonary. The condition appears to manifest differently depending on the person. Common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, memory issues, headache, fatigue, chest or abdominal pain, anxiety, depression, dyspnea, and hair loss. 

Who is most at risk for developing PASC?

This question, like many PASC-related questions, remains not well-understood. Some studies have similar findings showing that women, those with more severe cases of COVID-19, or older and eldery individuals are at higher risk for developing PASC. However, there are social implications of PASC showing that those with lower income and adults of Hispanic origin had a higher prevalence of symptoms at day 30. 

What about PASC and children?

Limited literature exists about the frequency and characteristics of PASC among children. However, a recent large cohort study found that older children (6-17 years old) reported symptoms associated with PASC more often compared to preschool aged children (0-5 years old), which is a finding that is consistent with previous studies. Fortunately, in this large study, most children reporting PASC symptoms recovered within 1 to 5 months of onset.

Is PASC less likely to occur with the Omicron variant?

There is some indication that because the Omicron variant is less severe than some of the previous variants (e.g., Delta) that there may be less incidence of PASC for those who contracted Omicron. However, more data is needed to determine this. in some individuals - even those with mild cases. Regardless, more research is needed on this topic to better understand if any relationship exists between PASC and particular variants.