Disturbing long-term complications of Covid-19-Remote Work & Neurological Symptoms!

As we almost complete four years of Covid-19 restricted life, with many either following the remote work or hybrid model, one cannot help wondering what the long-term effects of the Coronavirus may be and how we shall continue to pay our dues to it. Research indicates that although the commute time has sharply declined in the majority but the screen time has greatly increased. This is showing new symptoms in many enrolled in observational studies. It is worrisome to see that many of the observed symptoms are similar to people recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Major symptoms being sleeplessness, headache, fatigue, dizziness, light headedness, blurring of vision, depression, anxiety and weakness.

Research continues on patients who did get positive with the Coronavirus, and they are being closely studied after they were marked as fully recovered on paper, meaning that they longer tested positive. A lot of people still continue to suffer even after their so-called recovery and observational studies of them show many people struggling with memory problems, mental fog, and mood changes. Scientists agree that one reason for these symptoms are long-term damage to the brain, both from the virus and the increased screen time with no defined working hours. People tend to spend more time on gadgets now that they either do not have a commute or less time on the road every week!

Currently studies are being carried out in various medical universities with a team of scientists taking a lead at the University of Virginia, California National Primate Research Center at UC Davis, and the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. A study led on hospitalized patients found that more than 13% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have developed a new neurological disorder usually seen soon after being infected with the Coronavirus. When these patients were followed up six months later, it was observed that the group who survived were still showing cognitive problems and preferred remote work rather than in-person.

The main health risks to the brain are internal bleeding, blood clots, inflammation, oxygen deprivation and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. The changes seen in the brain are subtle but even minor affects on the brain could be a significant change in cognition. SARS-CoV-2 virus when observed in animals clearly shows infecting not just the animal’s lungs and body tissues but also infecting the brain, an organ that has yet not received much attention. The monkeys studied showed that neurons, the brain cells that make thinking possible are infected although not confirmed in human beings yet under observation, but many researchers have found evidence that the virus can infect human brain cells.

As seen in monkeys, it is believed that the virus appears to enter the brain through the nose. A potential route for the Coronavirus to makes its way to the brain is through a nerve located on top of the nose called the Olfactory bulb. The Olfactory Bulb provides a possible route for the Coronavirus to travel from the respiratory system to the brain. The Coronavirus appears to infect and destroy nerve cells in the Olfactory Bulb, which surely explains why many COVID-19 patients complain of loss of sense of smell!

In addition to this, the Coronavirus has also been observed to infect cells that line blood vessels, including those that go through the brain and hence lead to damage that can trigger blood clots or bleeding that can lead to life threatening strokes. It can also damage cells that protect the blood-brain barrier leading to disruption and allowing harmful substances including the Coronavirus to enter the brain. Furthermore, the Coronavirus can also damage a person’s lungs to the extent that their brain is no longer able to get sufficient oxygen. Sone scientists also believe COVID-19 may be causing brain injuries that may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life.

This impact of the Coronavirus on the brain certainly makes its extremely important to treat every COVID-19 patient in the initial stages with the newly approved Pfizer anti-Covid-19, PAXLOVID and stop the disease evolving towards more advanced stages, that can cause neuronal damage that cannot be reversed. The bottom line of all ongoing and past research is that the best way to prevent COVID-related brain damage is to get promptly vaccinated, cut down on screen time and spend at least some time outdoors!