CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE COURSE OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION DEPENDING ON THE PERIOD OF ILLNESS

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the persistence of Long COVID symptoms is of particular concern, which significantly affects the quality of life and ability to work. The aim of the study is to establish the peculiarities of clinical and epidemiological data in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 depending on the period of illness. Patients and methods. We examined 108 patients divided into three groups: those with confirmed COVID-19, those with Long COVID, and practically healthy persons. The epidemiological and clinical features of the course were determined based on the analysis of medical records and the developed questionnaire. Results. Women predominated among the study subjects (56 %) with an average age of 41.44 years. The main symptoms that characterized the clinical picture of COVID-19 were generalized weakness/fatigue (94 %), headache (74 %), fever/body aches and cough in 71 % of patients (p<0.05). In the Long COVID group, compared to the COVID-19 group, generalized weakness/fatigue (40 %), headache (29 %), fever/body aches (3 %), and cough (9 %) were significantly less common, sleep disorders / insomnia (17 %), muscle pain (11 %), shortness of breath (17 %), runny nose / sneezing (6 %), loss (worsening) of appetite (3 %), sore throat (6 %), difficulty concentrating (6 %), abdominal pain (3 %) (p<0.05). Conclusions. Reduced access to healthcare services leads to delayed hospitalization, prolonged treatment, and complications. The level of vaccination does not affect the risk of Long COVID. Clinical signs of Long COVID: generalized weakness/fatigue, anxiety, mood disturbance, headache are detected in one third of patients and cause a decrease in overall quality of life. The most persistent are general weakness/fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, sleep disorders/insomnia and persist in 34-42 % of patients from the moment COVID-19 is confirmed.