Higher severity lengthens post-Covid recovery time in some patients, say doctors

Dr Kapil Zirpe, in charge of the neuro trauma intensive care unit and isolation facility at Ruby Hall, said that the problem is usually related to patients who have had moderate to severe form of Covid-19.

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Doctors also said that there are complications related to the heart, lung, intestines, brain and kidney due to Covid-19. [Express photo]

Patients of coronavirus infection (Covid-19) in the moderate to severe category are taking a longer time to recover. Complaints of post-Covid fatigue and anxiety are common among those who were in home quarantine or had mild symptoms, while patients who have had a longer hospital stay face other challenges like extended need for oxygen due to lung damage, and counselling.

Dr Kapil Zirpe, in charge of the neuro trauma intensive care unit and isolation facility at Ruby Hall, said that the problem is usually related to patients who have had moderate to severe form of Covid-19. “These patients have had a longer stay in the hospital, been sedated if they were on ventilation and also face loneliness as they were in isolation. Post discharge, they require oxygen support at home and it takes at least two to six months for them to recover. The good news is that with a healthy diet, plenty of rest, counselling and avoiding exertion, the recovered patient can be better managed,” said Dr Zirpe, who is a member of the Pune city Covid task force.

According to Dr Subhash Salunkhe, chairman of the state Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Technical Committee and one of the key members managing the pandemic in Pune, there is a distinct loss of vigour and energy among patients who have recovered from the disease. “Those who were in the ICU continue to face respiratory problems and shortness of breath. Those who have co-morbid conditions are also affected,” said Dr Salunkhe.

At B J Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, which conducts a post-Covid OPD, doctors say there is a great deal of weakness among recovered patients.

Dr Sanjay Gaikwad, head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at B J Medical College, said they have seen at least 60-70 patients who have recovered. “We check their X-Rays after they test negative for Covid-19, conduct a six-minute walk test, and check oxygen saturation levels. Spirometry and other deep breathing exercises are advised,” said Dr Gaikwad.

Doctors also said that there are complications related to the heart, lung, intestines, brain and kidney due to Covid-19.

According to Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of the state Covid task force, there are systemic Covid-related issues or lung-related problems post Covid-19. “The commonest complaint is fatigue but now we are seeing an entire spectrum of the disease. Lung fibrosis is a cause of concern… the main elements now would be pulmonary rehabilitation, physiotherapy and mental health counselling. There is also a need for anti-clotting drugs and nutrition support is essential,” he said.

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Dr Pradeep D’Costa, chief intensivist at KEM Hospital, said there are patients who have recovered from Covid-19 who may still require oxygenation. This is based on the severity of the disease and if the patients have had to undergo a complicated course of medication, steroids and others, said Dr D’Costa. “We are seeing patients with manifestations of neurological and psychiatric problems. After discharge, some are unable to walk properly or move well. The effect can be debilitating,” said Dr D’Costa.

Dr Manish Kolge, consulting physician at Rao Nursing Home, said there are several young patients who, after recovering from Covid-19, suffer weight loss and fatigue and are unable to do routine activities. “They are unhappy with their post-Covid recovery and hence get anxious,” said Dr Kolge.

Doctors advised that with proper post-Covid management, the recovery time is usually one to three months.

Dr Shivakumar Iyer, chief intensivist at Bharati Hospital, said guidelines have been prepared for managing post-Covid manifestations, most commonly the Covid fatigue syndrome. “There are a smaller number of patients with lung fibrosis, and patients who require home oxygen therapy, and we have beeen assuring the patients that fatigue and tiredness will go away with time,” he said.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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