Post-COVID 19 syndrome: Inquiring about reported phenotypes

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has become possibly the largest public health problem of the 21st century. As of August 20, 2021, the Center for COVID-19 Tracking at Johns Hopkins University reports more than 200 million cases and more than 4 million deaths.1 The COVID-19 pandemic has become possibly the largest public health problem of the 21st century. As of August 20, 2021, the Center for COVID-19 Tracking at Johns Hopkins University reports more than 200 million cases and more than 4 million deaths.1 However, another of the great unknowns are the sequelae left by the acute phase of COVID-19 and the impact they have on health systems through parameters of health costs, morbidity, mortality and disability.2 The period of time when the sequelae are observed has been termed post-COVID-19 syndrome. Is defined as the persistence or appearance of signs and/or symptoms after the acute phase of the disease, specifically in two time periods, between 4 and 12 weeks and after week 12, and potentially compromising the functional capacity of the individual.2 This syndrome can occur in young patients as well as in patients with advanced disease, and in those with or without a history of comorbidities.2 One of the greatest challenges today is the implementation of strategies for early diagnosis and timely management of major complications presented in this period of time, especially in low- and middle-income countries where resources for health systems are scarce and where there is a very high overall disease burden.