Post COVID-19: a narrative review of a new challenge

COVID-19 is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Though the majority of the patients infected with COVID-19 fully recover, persistent illness and symptoms have been identified among a considerable number of patients. This review summarizes the reported post COVID-19 symptoms, prevalence, and the predicting factors of post COVID-19 condition are also outlined. Post COVID-19 symptoms can range from fatigue, dyspnea, cough, sleep disorders, cognitive impairments, and anxiety or depression that last for weeks or months after the initial recovery. The prevalence of post COVID-19 symptoms varied highly, ranging from 0.42-98%.  It can affect anyone with mild to severe acute infection, and females and older adults were found to be at greater risk of developing prolonged symptoms. Proper evaluation of risk involved in the subgroups of COVID-19 patients- would enable earlier diagnosis and better treatment and rehabilitation.