Covid-19 in UAE: expert reveals long-term side effects, stages of coronavirus infection

  DUBAI – As more people recovered from coronavirus in the UAE, the country’s official spokesperson addressed questions on the long-term side effects of the virus on recovered patients. Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson of the UAE health sector, said that some studies show Covid-19 has lasting effects on recovered patients. However, she noted, very few cases were in a critical condition and placed in intensive care. ''Covid-19 side effects could damage the lungs. Some recovered patients have experienced pulmonary dysfunction and could not perform usual activities, such as walking for long distances, and have shortness of breath,'' she said. Dr. Al Hosani advised recovered patients to perform exercise like swimming to stimulate the cardiovascular system and adopt a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a nutritious diet and refraining from smoking.

Cases of Covid-19 reinfection in UAE?

Regarding the possibility of reinfection after recovery, Dr. Al Hosani said there were no studies on the matter, and research is ongoing. ''The UAE did not record any such case, but there were some cases in other countries because such cases may not have recovered completely or were not subject to thorough testing before leaving the hospital to ensure they were asymptomatic," she said. She said that in general, the effects of infection may vary case-by-case depending on the strength of one’s immune system and lifestyle. Discussing minor and critical cases, Dr. Al Hosani said that the majority of cases do not exhibit symptoms, noting that some may have a slight fever, cough, or sore throat, while others could temporarily lose their sense of smell and taste.

Stages of Covid-19 infection

Dr. Al Hosani also explained the various stages of infection. "The first stage is the incubation period, when the virus enters the cells of certain parts of the body, such as the throat, trachea, and lungs. This is the period between infection and the onset of symptoms. During this period, a person does not feel sick and may not develop any symptoms at all. The incubation period varies from person to person but ranges from one to 14 days, with an average of five days," she said. Following this stage, a minor illness could develop, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as slight fever, cough, sore throat, or loss of a sense of smell and taste that can be treated by bedrest and a high liquid intake. The patient does not need hospital care at this time, she said.

Severe symptoms of Covid-19 patients

Dr. Al Hosani said that a small percentage of people develop severe symptoms, including inflammation of the lungs, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties, adding that during this stage, some patients require medical intervention on a ventilator, especially those suffering from chronic diseases or those who are smokers or elderly, with a few developing other complications. Dr. Al Hosani also said that while many infected people may not show any symptoms and their condition will not require hospitalisation, they can spread the infection to others. "Therefore, we constantly stress the necessity of following all preventative measures, as well as the importance of self-quarantine and wearing face masks. Although restrictions have been relaxed and we can go outside if necessary, this does not mean that we can be negligent because prevention is mandatory for every individual to protect themselves and those around them. With awareness and a commitment to responsibly following instructions, we can all succeed," she said. ICA/WAM/Expat Media
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