Symptoms of the post-COVID syndrome at young adults

To compare structure of the post-COVID symptoms at the young adults who recovered from COVID-19 and were not sick, 752 responders (554 (73.7%) female, mean age 20.8 ± 5.0) were inquired using originally created questionary distributed in social networks (Telegram, Viber, Instagram, Facebook). It includes information about general, neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive symptoms and frequency of chill after COVID-19 pandemic. There were two comparative groups: Base group (BG) – 544 (72.3%) responders after COVID-19 and Control group (CG) - 208 (27,7%) without COVID-19. The most common symptoms were pains in muscles and joints (BG - 169 (49.5%), CG - 97 (47.6%), p=0.644), reduced tolerance to physical exertion (BG - 288 (52.9%)), CG - 104 (50.5%), p=0.47) increase in general weakness (BG - 323 (59.4%), CG - 96 (46.2%), p=0.005), dizziness (BG – 235 (43.2%), CG - 82 (39.4%), p=0.348). Among the respiratory symptoms shortness of breath but was higher in the BG - 132 (24.3%) vs CG - 32 (15.4%), p=0.027. Palpitation was the most frequent cardiac complaint (BG - 123 (22.6 %), CG - 45 (21.6%), p=0.401). The digestive symptoms were stronger in BG: nausea (BG - 139 (25.6%), CG - 39 (21.9%), p=0.05), changes in taste and smell (BG - 140 (25.7 %), CG - 16 (7.6%), p<0.001), deterioration of appetite (BG - 146 (26.8%), CG - 48 (23.1%), p=0.005). Chill during the last year after COVID-19 was ten times more in BG compare CG (273 (50.1%) vs. 9 (4.3%), p<0.001). Thus, the most common post-COVID symptoms among young adults are progressive general weakness, shortness of breath, nausea, distortion of taste and smell, deterioration of appetite, and a significantly increased susceptibility to chill as a sign of immune suppression.