"COVID-19 Impact: Indians Face Prolonged Lung Damage, Study Finds

"COVID-19 Impact: Indians Face Prolonged Lung Damage, Study Finds

A recent study conducted by Christian Medical College, Vellore, has highlighted that Indians experience more lung damage post-COVID-19 infection compared to Europeans and Chinese. The study analyzed 207 individuals after two months of recovery from the infection, focusing on lung function tests, six-minute walks, blood tests, and quality of life assessments. The findings revealed that a significant proportion of the Indian population suffered from persisting symptoms and lung function impairment. Despite the pandemic receding, the risk of post-complications remains a concern. The study, published in the Global Health Journal, showed that oxygen transfer from air to the bloodstream was affected by 44%, lung inflation ability by 35%, and air movement in and out of the lungs by 8.3%. Dr. Ishwar Gilada, an infectious disease expert, highlighted that COVID-19 has left scars on the lungs, with even mild cases showing long-term symptoms. Another study published in the journal Radiology indicated that even after two years of COVID-19, patients exhibited persistent lung abnormalities, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and care for recovered individuals.