COVID-19 is far more than a short-lived illness, and recent studies continue to reveal its lasting effects on both the body and mind. Research from The Lancet and JAMA Psychiatry highlights the alarming consequences of severe COVID-19, especially for unvaccinated individuals. report from RealClearHealth.
A study found nearly a third of COVID patients showed organ damage five months after infection, with lung, brain, and kidney abnormalities significantly higher than in those without the virus.
Equally concerning are the mental health effects, with unvaccinated individuals facing a 16-fold increase in depression following severe illness, a risk that can persist for up to a year. Conditions like anxiety, PTSD, and addiction have also surged. Vaccination, however, has been shown to mitigate these effects, significantly reducing the likelihood of post-infection mental health disorders. told by NIH.
The evidence underscores the importance of vaccination, not only in preventing severe illness but in protecting long-term mental well-being. With healthcare systems strained, understanding COVID’s broader impacts is crucial. As the pandemic evolves, vaccination remains a key tool in fighting both the physical and psychological aftermath of the virus.
