Long-Term Effects of COVID-19: Understanding the Persistent Impact of the Pandemic

Peter Austin^1*, Clare Gershon¹

Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada

*Corresponding Author

Peter Austin, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada, E-mail: au@peter.ca

Abstract

While acute COVID-19 infection has been the primary focus since the pandemic’s onset, increasing evidence reveals that a significant proportion of patients experience persistent symptoms and complications lasting weeks to months after the initial infection. Termed “Long COVID” or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), these long-term effects impact multiple organ systems and can significantly impair quality of life. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, proposed mechanisms, risk factors, and current management strategies for COVID-19 long-term effects, highlighting challenges and directions for future research.