Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Assessment of Short and Long-Term Post-Recovery Symptoms In Recovered Cases In Western Libya

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, first identified in late 2019, has caused extensive global morbidity and mortality. While most individuals recover from the acute illness, a considerable proportion develop post-COVID-19 syndrome, characterized by persistent symptoms lasting weeks to months. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence, type, and duration of persistent symptoms following COVID-19 recovery, and to examine their association with the severity of the acute infection. A cross-sectional, analytical observational study was conducted among 515 COVID-19 survivors in western Libya. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews and online questionnaires (Google Forms) comprising demographic information, COVID-19 illness details, comorbidities, and post-COVID-19 symptoms. Associations between symptom persistence and clinical/demographic factors were assessed using Chi-square tests. Persistent symptoms were reported by 72.0% of participants, with over 70% experiencing three or more symptoms. Recovery occurred within three months in 75.5% of respondents, within three to six months in 22.1%, and after more than six months in 2.4%. During acute illness, 78.8% required only home isolation, 21.2% were hospitalized, and 8.3% required intensive care. Most participants (91.7%) experienced mild-to-moderate acute disease, and 81.6% reported no comorbidities. Common persistent symptoms included fatigue, cough, anosmia, ageusia, joint pain, anxiety, and headache; less frequent but more severe sequelae included chest pain, pulmonary fibrosis, and myocarditis. A significant proportion of COVID-19 survivors experienced prolonged symptoms lasting up to 12 months post-recovery, independent of gender, smoking status, or vaccination history. Symptom severity correlated with the severity of the initial illness and the presence of comorbidities. Post-COVID-19 follow-up and targeted rehabilitation are recommended to address these long-term health effects.