Respiratory complications after covid-19

Abstract EN

COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with high short-term morbidity and mortality.

Lungs are the main organs affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In the long-term, the pulmonary sequelae related to COVID-19 are expected to rise significantly leading to an extended impact on community health and health care facilities.

A wide variety of long-term respiratory complications secondary to COVID-19 have been described ranging from persistent symptoms and radiologically observable changes to impaired respiratory physiology, vascular complications, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Even after two years, respiratory sequalae related to post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infection have not been fully explored and understood.

The main treatment for most COVID-19 respiratory complications is still symptomatic and supportive-care oriented.

In this review article, we shed light on current knowledge of the post-COVID-19 complications, focusing on pulmonary fibrosis, treatment directions, and recommendations to physicians.