ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine post-COVID-19 complications after recovery and investigate the reported cases of re-infection. Methods: The researchers systematically reviewed three databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Word Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 database looking for studies reported post-COVID-19 complications and COVID-19 reinfection. The search was conducted between November 21, 2020 and January 14, 2021. Inclusion criteria were articles written in English and had primary data. The studies reported the complications of COVID-19 after full recovery were included. Case reports were only included in the COVID-19 reinfection section. Results: The review included 69 studies related to post-COVID-19 complications and 13 case studies related to COVID-19 reinfection. Thirty-six studies reported post-cure respiratory complications including dyspnea to residual pulmonary fibrosis. Cardiac symptoms were reported in nine studies including palpitation, chest pain and diastolic dysfunction. Neurological complications included post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), anxiety, depression, memory issues, insomnia and sleeping disturbance, cognitive impairments, and stigma. Gastrointestinal symptoms included nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and acute liver injury. Physical decline was the most common symptom reported in the musculoskeletal complications. Thirteen cases COVID-19 reinfection from nine countries were reported. Four patients had severe symptoms in the second infection while the symptoms of nine patient ranged from mild to moderate. The time taken for the reinfection ranged from 26 days to 145 days. Conclusion: COVID-19 may cause several types of complications after recovery. Lung abnormalities, neurological complications, and exercise intolerance were frequently identified complications among COVID-19 survivors. Reinfection can occur among COVID-19 survivors. Thus, COVID-19 may need long-term follow-up and should take preventive measures to prevent the reinfection.