The World Health Organization called Tuesday for greater research, recognition and rehabilitation for Long Covid sufferers as it brought experts together to share insights into the little-understood condition.

The WHO held the first in a planned series of seminars aimed at expanding understanding of post-Covid conditions, which heard not only from scientists and doctors but also from sufferers themselves.

Little is known about why some people, after coming through the acute phase of Covid-19, struggle to recover and suffer ongoing symptoms including tiredness and brain fog as well as cardiac and neurological disorders.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-mission-a-team-of-experts-to-investigate-china-or-save-it-362509" hreflang="en">WHO mission: A team of experts to investigate China or save it?</a>

Studies suggest that potentially one in 10 cases may have prolonged symptoms one month after infection -- meaning millions may be suffering from ongoing illness.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that with attention turning in the coronavirus pandemic towards vaccination campaigns, "Long Covid should not fall through the cracks".

He said the impact of Long Covid on society and the economy was starting to become clear, and for those reasons, "people start to listen" beyond the medical community.

Though the level of research is growing, it is "still not enough", he said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-a-month-of-investigation-who-mission-returns-empty-handed-from-wuhan-362507" hreflang="en">After a month of investigation, WHO mission returns empty-handed from Wuhan</a>

British doctor Gail Carson, from the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium, warned that "Long Covid could become the pandemic on the pandemic".

Presenting findings from a post-Covid support forum, she raised the plight of under-the-radar sufferers.

Even for many who never had to be hospitalised with the virus, their condition "has been life changing".

"People are losing jobs, they're losing relationships. There's a real urgency to try and understand this," she said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-patients-on-ventilators-show-severe-symptoms-of-ptsd-study-362493" hreflang="en">Coronavirus patients on ventilators show severe symptoms of PTSD: Study</a>

Carson said that Long Covid in children was "even less well recognised or counted" than it is in adults.

She said it was "staggering" that only 45 out of more than 5,000 funded Covid-19 projects were looking at Long Covid.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on Covid-19, said the organisation was continuing to learn about this aspect of the pandemic.

"We know that much more work needs to be done," she said.

"We need to show compassion with each other but we also need to be persistent in getting to the answers."

The World Health Organization called Tuesday for greater research, recognition and rehabilitation for Long Covid sufferers as it brought experts together to share insights into the little-understood condition.

The World Health Organization called Tuesday for greater research, recognition and rehabilitation for Long Covid sufferers as it brought experts together to share insights into the little-understood condition. The WHO held the first in a planned series of seminars aimed at expanding understanding of post-Covid conditions, which heard not only from scientists and doctors but also from sufferers themselves. Little is known about why some people, after coming through the acute phase of Covid-19, struggle to recover and suffer ongoing symptoms including tiredness and brain fog as well as cardiac and neurological disorders. Also read| WHO mission: A team of experts to investigate China or save it? Studies suggest that potentially one in 10 cases may have prolonged symptoms one month after infection -- meaning millions may be suffering from ongoing illness. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that with attention turning in the coronavirus pandemic towards vaccination campaigns, "Long Covid should not fall through the cracks". He said the impact of Long Covid on society and the economy was starting to become clear, and for those reasons, "people start to listen" beyond the medical community. Though the level of research is growing, it is "still not enough", he said. Also read| After a month of investigation, WHO mission returns empty-handed from Wuhan British doctor Gail Carson, from the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium, warned that "Long Covid could become the pandemic on the pandemic". Presenting findings from a post-Covid support forum, she raised the plight of under-the-radar sufferers. Even for many who never had to be hospitalised with the virus, their condition "has been life changing". "People are losing jobs, they're losing relationships. There's a real urgency to try and understand this," she said. Also read| Coronavirus patients on ventilators show severe symptoms of PTSD: Study Carson said that Long Covid in children was "even less well recognised or counted" than it is in adults. She said it was "staggering" that only 45 out of more than 5,000 funded Covid-19 projects were looking at Long Covid. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on Covid-19, said the organisation was continuing to learn about this aspect of the pandemic. "We know that much more work needs to be done," she said. "We need to show compassion with each other but we also need to be persistent in getting to the answers."

Don't let Long Covid 'fall through the cracks', WHO warns

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a> pandemic has been tough on everybody, be it the people who contracted the deadly disease, their families and friends or even the people who were safe from the virus but had to face repeated lockdowns and paranoia.

One major effect that this deadly coronavirus pandemic has left on patients — recovered and battling — has been extensive symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-animal-source-not-yet-identified-says-who-mission-in-wuhan-362409" hreflang="en">Coronavirus animal source not yet identified, says WHO mission in Wuhan</a>

Recent research by the Cambridge University Press has revealed that one in three patients of COVID-19 who have been put on a ventilator is now experiencing severe symptoms of PTSD.

This study was conducted on 13,409 survivors of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from the UK.&nbsp;

"Although there has been considerable speculation as to the likely deleterious effects of COVID-19 infection on mental health, some types of mental health symptoms may be especially anticipated to occur in people who have been infected," the study reads.

The researchers collected data in May 2020 for a broader study titled 'The Great British Intelligence Test' (GBIT).&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-may-have-contributed-to-emergence-of-coronavirus-in-china-study-361841" hreflang="en">Climate change may have contributed to emergence of coronavirus in China: Study</a>

The data revealed that patients often experienced flashbacks of being plugged to the ventilator, and also images of ICU or doctors wearing the PPE kits and other patients in the ICU.

However, the patients who received treatment at home or the people who required no medical help at home (but experienced breathing problems) showed fewer symptoms of PTSD.

This research has helped prove the point that many scientists have been trying to make about the relation of the coronavirus pandemic and mental health. As per several experts, the pandemic has negatively affected people's mental health, and this study has further proved the seriousness of the situation.

Coronavirus pandemic has been tough on everybody, be it the people who contracted the deadly disease, their families and friends or even the people who were safe from the virus but had to face repeated lockdowns and paranoia.

Coronavirus pandemic has been tough on everybody, be it the people who contracted the deadly disease, their families and friends or even the people who were safe from the virus but had to face repeated lockdowns and paranoia. One major effect that this deadly coronavirus pandemic has left on patients — recovered and battling — has been extensive symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Also read| Coronavirus animal source not yet identified, says WHO mission in Wuhan Recent research by the Cambridge University Press has revealed that one in three patients of COVID-19 who have been put on a ventilator is now experiencing severe symptoms of PTSD. This study was conducted on 13,409 survivors of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from the UK. "Although there has been considerable speculation as to the likely deleterious effects of COVID-19 infection on mental health, some types of mental health symptoms may be especially anticipated to occur in people who have been infected," the study reads. The researchers collected data in May 2020 for a broader study titled 'The Great British Intelligence Test' (GBIT). Also read| Climate change may have contributed to emergence of coronavirus in China: Study The data revealed that patients often experienced flashbacks of being plugged to the ventilator, and also images of ICU or doctors wearing the PPE kits and other patients in the ICU. However, the patients who received treatment at home or the people who required no medical help at home (but experienced breathing problems) showed fewer symptoms of PTSD. This research has helped prove the point that many scientists have been trying to make about the relation of the coronavirus pandemic and mental health. As per several experts, the pandemic has negatively affected people's mental health, and this study has further proved the seriousness of the situation.

Coronavirus patients on ventilators show severe symptoms of PTSD: Study

The world is realising the fear and anxiety caused by the coronavirus as the virus continues to affect mental health too.&nbsp;

At a time when scientists across the world are desperate to find a cure for the virus, self-isolation has so far seen as the best prescription for older people. However, this self-isolation comes at a great cost as people are often left alone to deal with coronavirus-caused complications.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-spain-extends-lockdown-by-two-weeks-as-death-toll-tops-20000-293338">Coronavirus: Spain extends lockdown by two weeks as death toll tops 20,000</a>

A nursing home in Brussels is already feeling the impact of the prolonged lockdown with staff saying they barely had time for themselves to grieve. The fear the current staff would ensure more people die of loneliness than from COVID-19.&nbsp;

Thanks to coronavirus, people now have to deal with two problems: first the heightened risk of serious illness or death and second the mental health effects from the fear of the virus of what might happen.&nbsp;

Experts expect to see high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in people who are infected with the coronavirus and hospitalised and healthcare workers who are on the front lines battling the crisis.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The world is realising the fear and anxiety caused by the coronavirus as the virus continues to affect mental health too. At a time when scientists across the world are desperate to find a cure for the virus, self-isolation has so far seen as the best prescription for older people.

The world is realising the fear and anxiety caused by the coronavirus as the virus continues to affect mental health too. At a time when scientists across the world are desperate to find a cure for the virus, self-isolation has so far seen as the best prescription for older people. However, this self-isolation comes at a great cost as people are often left alone to deal with coronavirus-caused complications. Also read | Coronavirus: Spain extends lockdown by two weeks as death toll tops 20,000 A nursing home in Brussels is already feeling the impact of the prolonged lockdown with staff saying they barely had time for themselves to grieve. The fear the current staff would ensure more people die of loneliness than from COVID-19. Thanks to coronavirus, people now have to deal with two problems: first the heightened risk of serious illness or death and second the mental health effects from the fear of the virus of what might happen. Experts expect to see high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in people who are infected with the coronavirus and hospitalised and healthcare workers who are on the front lines battling the crisis.

Belgium: Elderly affected with coronavirus have other fears too