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Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine

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COVID-19 Curbside Consults

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Caring for the ‘long-haulers’

Susan Vehar, MD, Marina Boushra, MD, Prince Ntiamoah, MD and Michelle Biehl, MD, MS
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine May 2021, 88 (5) 267-272; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.88a.21010
Susan Vehar
Department of Critical Care Medicine; Department of Pulmonary Medicine; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Marina Boushra
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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Prince Ntiamoah
Department of Critical Care Medicine; Department of Pulmonary Medicine; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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Michelle Biehl
Department of Critical Care Medicine; Department of Pulmonary Medicine; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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ABSTRACT

An estimated 10% of COVID-19 survivors continue to experience symptoms several weeks to months after the appearance of initial symptoms, a condition termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). These patients, also called “long-haulers,” most commonly report protracted symptoms of fatigue, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, difficulty concentrating, arthralgia, olfactory dysfunction, and headache. While age, comorbid medical conditions, and COVID-19 severity are risk factors, young and previously healthy individuals with mild COVID-19 are also at risk. Recognition of symptoms, evaluation, supportive treatment, and attention to medical comorbidities are the cornerstones of medical management.

  • Copyright © 2021 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
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  1. Susan Vehar, MD⇑
  1. Department of Critical Care Medicine; Department of Pulmonary Medicine; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
  1. Address:
    Susan Vehar, MD, A90, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195; vehars{at}ccf.org
  1. Marina Boushra, MD
  1. Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
  1. Prince Ntiamoah, MD
  1. Department of Critical Care Medicine; Department of Pulmonary Medicine; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
  1. 23231-michelle-biehlMichelle Biehl, MD, MS
  1. Department of Critical Care Medicine; Department of Pulmonary Medicine; Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

ABSTRACT

An estimated 10% of COVID-19 survivors continue to experience symptoms several weeks to months after the appearance of initial symptoms, a condition termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). These patients, also called “long-haulers,” most commonly report protracted symptoms of fatigue, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, difficulty concentrating, arthralgia, olfactory dysfunction, and headache. While age, comorbid medical conditions, and COVID-19 severity are risk factors, young and previously healthy individuals with mild COVID-19 are also at risk. Recognition of symptoms, evaluation, supportive treatment, and attention to medical comorbidities are the cornerstones of medical management.

  • Copyright © 2021 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
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Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: 88 (5)
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
Vol. 88, Issue 5
1 May 2021
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Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Caring for the ‘long-haulers’
Susan Vehar, Marina Boushra, Prince Ntiamoah, Michelle Biehl
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine May 2021, 88 (5) 267-272; DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.88a.21010

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Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Caring for the ‘long-haulers’
Susan Vehar, Marina Boushra, Prince Ntiamoah, Michelle Biehl
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine May 2021, 88 (5) 267-272; DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.88a.21010
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  • Article
    • ABSTRACT
    • TRUE NUMBERS ARE HARD TO ASSESS
    • MECHANISMS PROPOSED, BUT PATHOPHYSIOLOGY UNKNOWN
    • A RANGE OF SYMPTOMS
    • EVALUATION OF LONG-HAULERS
    • SPECIFIC TREATMENT FOR SYMPTOMS AND COMORBID CONDITIONS
    • LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT DATA, AND LESSONS LEARNED
    • FUTURE DIRECTIONS
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  • Update to COVID-19 serologic testing : FAQs and caveats
  • Update to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Caring for the 'long-haulers'
  • COVID-19 in older adults
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