Psychiatria pre prax 2/2021

Psychiatric aspects of Long Covid

Long Covid is a term reserved for syndrome that manifests in a portion of patients at least 4 weeks after acute exacerbation of disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to recent data, every third patient exposed to the mentioned virus develops neurological or psychiatric conditions meeting diagnostic criteria of a disease. Although complete understanding of pathophysiology of this syndrome is still unknown, recent findings suggest underlying psychological and biological mechanisms, namely immune system dysregulation, hypercoagulability, neuroinflammation and resulting neuronal injury. Considering relatively frequent and serious psychiatric symptoms, recognizing symptoms of this disease, differential diagnosis and awarness of possible treatment options is essential for both patients and caretakers.

Keywords: Long Covid, cognitive disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis