A researcher has pleaded with Australians to do "whatever they can" to avoid contracting COVID-19 while foreshadowing the findings of his study into the long-term impacts of the virus on the human body.
Dr Stuart Tan — a specialist physician in trauma and rehabilitation medicine at the New South Wales Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District — has been recruiting people who have tested positive to COVID-19 from across the country since the beginning of pandemic in early 2020.
Unlike much of the literature published overseas, Dr Tan said his study had observed the long-term symptoms of the virus on all patients' mental and physical health.
"Most of the emerging studies from overseas have focused on hospitalised patients," Dr Tan said.
"The results that we are finding are concerning.
"COVID-19 is not like the flu … the recovery journey can be a long one and it can affect your quality of life, even if you aren't hospitalised.
Impact on quality of life
Dr Tan said that, of the hundreds of participants that took part in the study, the vast majority experienced individualised, lingering symptoms.
"Firstly, a significant number of our participants are still symptomatic months after their initial diagnosis" Dr Tan said.
"Secondly, COVID-19 has an adverse impact on the quality life, long-term."
"What we need is more understanding of the symptoms and the health issues they are experiencing so that we can look at addressing those health issues."
Dr Tan said his team was also interested in recruiting new patients, to understand the impacts of different strains of the virus.
"Particularly the Delta strain," he said.
Dr Tan said his first paper has been submitted to a journal and was currently under review, with the findings to be released before the end of the year.
If you are interested in participating in this research study or would like more information, please contact the research team at ISLHD-CovidResearch@health.nsw.gov.au or phone 0459 887 682.
