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The last few months have been an emotional rollercoaster for most people in this country. As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the US, hundreds of thousands of people have become ill, and many have died. We mourn the losses, while also celebrating the recoveries. Importantly, we want to keep our loved ones safe. Today, the team at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. wants to discuss something that is not talked about as regularly – the long-term effects that survivors of COVID-19 could experience. We know that this topic is especially important for our readers who have loved ones in nursing homes.
COVID-19 is much more likely to have devastating effects on those who are aged 60 and over as well as those who have certain health conditions. This includes those who have heart problems, chronic respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and those with a weakened immune system. Unfortunately, many people in nursing homes have a combination of those.
As we have seen over the last few months, nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to becoming seriously ill or dying due to COVID-19. The first major outbreak of COVID-19 in this country happened at a nursing home in Washington state, and nursing home residents throughout the US continue to suffer disproportionately from this virus.
Most people have been focused on the short-term effects of COVID-19. Right now, we have to focus on saving as many lives as possible. However, those who contract coronavirus and survive could suffer from devastating long-term effects. Preliminary data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows us that patients who suffer from more severe symptoms of COVID-19 and need a ventilator are more likely to have lung damage and develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
According to Dr. Shu-Yuan Xiao, a pathology professor at the University of Chicago School of Medicine, “Based on experience from SARS and MERS, some patients may develop lung fibrosis.” Lung fibrosis is when lung tissue becomes scarred. This can have devastating effects on a person’s quality of life. Unfortunately, these effects will be even more pronounced on nursing home residents who survive COVID-19.
If your loved one is a nursing home resident, we know that the coronavirus has caused chaos in your life. This virus has had major impacts on nursing homes throughout the United States. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., we want to encourage you to stay in regular communication with the nursing home staff where your loved one resides. Make sure that they are staying on top of quarantine and social distancing requirements. If you suspect that a nursing home is not taking proper steps to keep your loved ones safe, our Boston nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 617-917-3917.
