Covid patients have lung damage 'weeks after leaving hospital'

Covid patients have lung damage 'weeks after leaving hospital' Austrian research shows how recovery can be slow process for those with severe infection Nicola Davis the Guardian

Patients hospitalised with Covid-19 still have lung damage, breathlessness and coughs weeks after being discharged, researchers have found.

The long and lingering effects of coronavirus on physical health is a growing topic of concern; even those who have experienced “mild” Covid, have reported symptoms that continue for many weeks or even months after the initial infection has passed.

Now researchers in Austria have released the preliminary results of a study tracking the recovery of patients who were hospitalised with severe coronavirus infection.

The results reveal that six weeks after leaving hospital, 88% of patients still showed signs of lung damage in CT scans – such as patches resembling ground glass – while 47% of patients were experiencing breathlessness. At 12 weeks, these figures were 56% and 39% respectively.

“Covid-19 survivors have persisting lung impairment weeks after recovery,” said Dr Sabina Sahanic of the University Clinic in Innsbruck who is part of the team behind the work.

But the trajectory is towards recovery. “Over time a moderate improvement is detectable,” she added, noting the results suggested that structured follow-up care for those who have suffered a severe infection was important.

The findings also suggest that while recovery from Covid can be a lengthy process, the disease does not appear to trigger an increase in lung scarring over time, according to the team.

The research, which is to be presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress, followed the health of 86 coronavirus patients after their discharge from hospital. Eighteen of these patients had been in intensive care.

But the trajectory is towards recovery. “Over time a moderate improvement is detectable,” she added, noting the results suggested that structured follow-up care for those who have suffered a severe infection was important. ...