Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown microbial aetiology associated with Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China on 31 December 2019^1,2. The first case was reported in India on 27^th January 2020 and in Srikakulam on 25^th April 2020. As per WHO, patients will recover with an incubation period of 10 to 14 days, sometimes COVID symptoms can remain for more than 20 days up to 45days due to the long-term effect of COVID and patients develop Post COVID complications. Multi-organ involvement seen in patients who had a severe illness, lung being most commonly involved. Other organs involved are the heart, brain, vascular system, kidney, skin⁴. Here, we provide a comprehensive review on complications of the respiratory system arising in post-COVID patients depicted as post-COVID pulmonary sequelae

Aim of the Study: To evaluate the post COVID pulmonary complications, treat the cause and prevent disease progression

Materials & Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted on 77 patients recovered from COVID-19 for a duration of 6months, in Great eastern medical school & hospital, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh which was a District COVID hospital. The study was done in COVID patients after recovery, within a duration of 1month to 6months with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 in the second wave in the year 2021. A register would be made for data collection for both out-patients and in-patients. Information will be collected regarding symptoms, history, personal history. HRCT chest, sputum bacterial culture, TRUENAAT is done to assess complications and prevent them. The study was conducted after obtaining consent from patients.

Results: Among 77 study populations, the analysis showed males were 71.43% and females were 28.57% with an age group of 41-60years is most commonly involved. Most of the patients presented with a duration of symptoms >1month i.e.,29.87%. Most common complication encountered was pulmonary fibrosis 23.37%, Fungal pneumonia 10.3%, Allergic rhinitis 10.3%, death 10.38%, pleural diseases 9%, diabetes 9%, pulmonary TB 6.49%, Extrapulmonary(pleural) TB- 5.19%, Extrapulmonary complications 2.59%.

Conclusion: The pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 after the acute phase of COVID-19 is increasingly being appreciated. COVID-19 affects people of all age groups and gender. It neither spares people with comorbidities nor those without any comorbidities. Social distancing, proper mask and hand hygiene will be the long-lasting self-disciplinary measures to curtail the spread of the disease.

Keywords: Post COVID complications, COVID-19, Pulmonary sequelae