Thread by @fascinatorfun

For survivors of severe COVID-19, beating the virus is just the beginning | Science | AAAS

With the homecomings many will likely deal with lingering effects of the virus—and of the emergency treatments that allowed them to survive it.
sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/s…

Thanks to @Sallyoo for drawing this article to my attention. I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering how long the road to recovery is likely to be for so many - especially when medical staff and resources have been so overstretched.

It seems highly probable that those who suffered severe symptoms are likely to be left with lingering consequences, physical, cognitive and mental health, as with other severe conditions.

We already know that ventilator intervention is not associated with high success rates, with 86% of patients dying in a Chinese study and the U.K. ICU network report suggesting 67% died. In the U.K., however, about 30% of patients in ICU are not put on ventilators but CPAP

They have a higher success rate. But still. The fact that the disease is so infectious and the shortage of PPE means that rehabilitation that would normally be undertaken to prevent muscle loss and weakness is not.

Some still have the virus on discharge. That would inhibit aces to physio and other therapy.

Then there’s the knock on consequences of delirium and the drugs used.

It is thought that in some instances COVID might directly infiltrate the damage brain.

Many of the safety checklists developed over the years likely were skipped under the sheer weight of pressure of numbers of patients.

Personal interaction was limited.

Hospitals are trying to develop tablet based rehab including puzzles, and also for monitoring progress to try and prevent readmission.

If SARS is anything to go by a good proportion likely to suffer moderate to severe depression and anxiety.