Post-COVID syndrome: A literature review of complications following infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral respiratory infection, was declared as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Studies from across the world centered on patient follow-up are adding to the knowledge on late complications observed in COVID-19 convalescents. Literature search was performed using databases with search terms 'COVID-19,' 'SARS-CoV-2,' 'Long COVID,' 'COVID-19 complications,' 'post COVID sequelae,' 'COVID-19 recovery,' and 'persistent symptoms.' Articles in English excluding pediatric (<18 years) and pregnant population were included for literature review. Studies from across the world reported various pulmonary, cardiac, hematologic, renal, neuropsychiatric, endocrine, and gastrointestinal complications and other nonspecific persistent symptoms. Several of these complications are similar to the postinfectious symptoms reported in previous viral respiratory disease outbreaks. In this narrative review, we review current literature on complications that follow recovery from acute episode of COVID-19. © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.