Eastern Wayne Today

Many survivors of COVID-19 are still experiencing health challenges long after recovering from the virus, according to reporting by Bridge Michigan. 

Almost 200,000 Michigan residents have recovered from the coronavirus, meaning that they were still alive 30 days after the symptoms of the virus began to take effect. But even for many survivors of the disease, there are a number of health complications that are becoming apparent in the days and months following the so-called "recovery."

SARS-CoV-2, while considered a respiratory sickness, can result in alterations to the vascular system, which can wreak havoc on blood vessels, leading to organ damage and blood clotting.

People who have recovered from the virus but are still suffering adverse effects are being referred to as "long-haulers." These individuals remain uncertain as to whether their lives will ever return to normal.

One woman, Gloria Vettese from Warren, contracted the virus in late March through early April, and she described to Bridge Michigan how frightening the disease was. 

After ten days of debilitating sickness, Vettese suffered headaches. And while the headaches vanished on Easter Sunday, they were replaced by a ringing in her ears, which never stopped. 

Prior to the pandemic, Vettese was earning her bachelor’s degree, but the negative effects of COVID-19 have caused her to suffer significant brain fog, resulting in poor performance in her educational program. 

In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, evidence points to dire outcomes for individuals who've contracted the virus. Out of 1,648 patients who were treated from March to July in Michigan hospitals, 25% died while in the hospital, 7% died within two months of being discharged and 15% required readmission to the hospital after experiencing extenuating health complications, according to Bridge Michigan. 

Approximately 39% of those who recovered reported that they had relentless health problems, which interfere with normal activities, while 12% stated that they were struggling to care for themselves independently.

While recovery has been the name of the game since the start of the pandemic, experts are learning that recovery is not as straightforward as it has been with previously studied viruses.