TABLE 1.
Main characteristics of acute-COVID and long-COVID syndrome*.
| Acute COVID-19 | Long-COVID syndrome | |
| Time course window | 1 to 4 weeks | 4 weeks to > 6 months |
| Viral detection by PCR | Positive | Negative |
| Common respiratory symptoms | Dyspnea Cough Sore throat |
Dyspnea Cough Oxygen requirement |
| Major non-respiratory symptoms | Fever Fatigue, muscle/Body aches Headache Loss of taste and/or smell |
Fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain Sleep disturbances Cognitive impairment (“brain fog”) Tachycardia, palpitations, chest pain, inflammatory heart disease Chronic kidney failure Inflammatory bowel disease |
| Causes (major leading hypothesis) | SARS-CoV2 infection | Lung hypoperfusion (blood cloths) Persistent viral proteins/RNA Persistent inflammation |