Post-COVID impact: Misery of the indisposed

Abstract

COVID-19 seized human life with sickness & fatality; even elicited medical, social and financial unrest. Clinical symptoms continued for weeks after contracting COVID-19 with socio-emotional turmoil. Considering these adversities, it was decided to ascertain medico-social effect of COVID-19 on patients coming in contact with scholar during May 2020 to September 2021 in Kolkata. 83 COVID-19 positives were contacted for enlisting & consent on first opportunity, however only 79 responded & continued. A structured questionnaire was prepared including personal attributes, details of COVID-19 infection and post-COVID medico-social problems. Questionnaires were distributed online as and when contact established during study. Participants were contacted for clinical conditions every week during first month, thereafter once a month till 3 months. Finally, data collected were analyzed and tabulated.34 & 45 subjects had COVID-19 during 2020 & 2021 respectively. Majority were educated employed males of 41-50 years with co-morbidities (35.6-52.9%). All followed COVID appropriate behaviour. Fever, fatigue, breathlessness, sore-throat & cough were common during first week; even continued for some in following weeks. Headache, anosmia & ageusia, giddiness, weight-gain & insomnia were also persistent. Isolation, anxiety, avoidance by relatives, hardship in daily needs with apathy of attendants made lingering problems. 13-35% had financial hang-ups due to expenses & helplessness. Time with family, online counsellor support and upgraded home delivery services with containment-respite were in high demand.Study revealed prolonged medico-social sufferings of the COVID affected seeking online medical-social-psychological support. Further research is contemplated to plan possible future guidelines to resolve these kinds of hardships in pandemic.