The most common symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection have been presented and explained by many health experts. However, the long-term health effects have been studied and continue to be analyzed as some of them could be quite serious. Besides long Covid, serious cognitive consequences are a scary side-effect of the infection.
How serious are post-infection cognitive problems?
A study published this year in EClinical Medicine analyzed the cognitive side-effects of the Covid-19 virus. The results indicated that infected and recovered people might have reduced intelligence and other brain-connected side effects. Over 81,337 people took part in the online assessment. Researchers from the Imperial London College tested their intelligence and found that those with Covid-19 showed signs of cognitive deficit. Those who had Covid-19 and were hospitalized had even worse cognitive deficit results.
The lead researcher tweeted the sad news
Adam Hampshire, a lead researcher of this study, published the news via Twitter.
Key results of on the association between Covid-19 illness and cognitive abilities in hospitalised & non hospitalised members of the UK general public. 1/7 The severity of respiratory symptoms predicted cognitive performance months post recovery. https://t.co/DMU93E9zBA pic.twitter.com/uXjLLuSc7Q
— Adam Hampshire (@HampshireHub) July 23, 2021
Researchers explain that some of the worst symptoms after Covid19 infection are brain fog, deficits in problem-solving, spatial planning, and reasoning. The online survey used for the study was the Great British Intelligence Test; however, several things were taken into consideration, including age, pre-existing medical conditions, and others.
Covid-19 vaccines are safe and efficient
Another study discovered that there were no immediate severe side effects of mRNA vaccines. Some of the severe side-effects scientists looked for were encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, strokes, and cardiovascular problems, among others. The FDA gave full authorization to the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, and Moderna has emergency authorization.
Vaccines can prevent the infection, and those who develop breakthrough infections have minor symptoms, and most do not need special care. The pandemic is far from over, and natural immunity does not last forever. Health organizations recommend vaccination as the best weapon against the virus.