Warning to anyone who has had Covid in the past six months of deadly side effects that could strike

ANYONE who has contracted Covid in the past six months could be at risk of a deadly side effect, a study has found.

People who contracted the virus less than six months ago are more likely to get blood clots.

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Researchers from Sweden discovered that there is a risk of deep vein thrombosis up to three months after infection and a blood clot in the lungs up to six months later.

There is also a greater likelihood of a “bleeding event” occurring in the two months following illness.

This is additional evidence that vaccines are vital in protecting against Covid complications that are not limited to when you are actually infected.

Omicron, which has become dominant in the past six months, generally causes a milder illness – with most people recovering at home.

But experts noted that some mild, non-hospitalized Covid patients were at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism – although most of the study will have been conducted before Omicron hit the market.

“Our results arguably support thromboprophylaxis to avoid thrombotic events, particularly in high-risk patients, and underscore the importance of vaccination against Covid-19,” they concluded.

It was found that the chances of getting a blood clot were higher in the first wave of the pandemic.

This suggests that improvements in treatment and widespread immunization coverage have resulted in the risk being reduced.

In a linked editorial, researchers from the University of Glasgow examined the prospect of many governments lifting restrictions and shifting their focus to “living with Covid”.

They added that this study “reminds us of the need to remain vigilant about the complications associated with even mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, including thromboembolism.”

It is believed that there is a higher risk of blood clots after contracting Covid due to the massive inflammatory response that can occur in some patients.

Most people will recover with no problems, but as we learn more about the virus it’s something to keep an eye on, just to be safe.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs.

When a blood clot breaks away from a DVT and travels to the lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism (PE). This can be deadly.

Signs and symptoms of DVT include:

1. swelling, usually in a leg (or arm)
2. leg pain or tenderness
3. Reddish/blue skin discoloration
4. Leg (or arm) feels warm

The signs and symptoms of PE include:

1. Sudden shortness of breath
2. Chest pains – sharp, lancinating; this can get worse with deep breaths
3. A fast heart rate
4. Unexplained cough, sometimes with bloody phlegm