Coronavirus: Why some patients take longer to recover

Coronavirus infected patients vary in severity of symptoms as well as in recovery patterns. Many take much longer than usual to get completely well. It may take time for some to get the test result negative after contracting the virus. After analysing the data of several hospitals and a number of articles published in various journals, possible reasons have been identified.

1. Males take longer to heal.

2. It takes time for elderly patients.

3. Medical conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems can cause the infection to persist longer. Such patients should get a physician’s advice from the very beginning.

4. Complications arise if a patient delays to get admitted to hospital following severe symptoms.

5. Severe illness from the very beginning.

6. A patient requiring intensive care unit or ventilator support may take longer to get well.

7. Excessive use of steroids and using these from the very beginning may delay the recovery as they reduce immunity.

8. Lungs more affected by the infection may not show symptoms but can take time to recover.

*Rapid test following fever or COVID-19 symptoms. Further complications may develop if it is too late to test or consult a physician.

*One should monitor one’s symptoms and oxygen saturation when maintaining home isolation. Hospital assistance must be sought if symptoms worsen.

*Never apply medicine without the physician’s advice. There are specific dosage and guidelines for steroid, antibiotics or blood thinners. The can be seriously harmful is taken without physician's advice.

*The writer is an assistant professor of medicine at Green Life Medical College. This piece has been rewritten in English by Nusrat Nowrin.