NEW YORK - After contracting the coronavirus in March, Michael Reagan lost all memory of his 12-day vacation in Paris, even though the trip was just a few weeks earlier.
Increasingly, Covid-19 survivors say brain fog is impairing their ability to work and function normally. Confusion, delirium and other types of altered mental function, called encephalopathy, have occurred during hospitalisation for Covid-19 respiratory problems, and a study found such patients needed longer hospitalisations, had higher mortality rates and often couldn't manage daily activities right after hospitalisation.
"It is debilitating," said Rick Sullivan, 60, of Brentwood, California, who has had episodes of brain fog since July after overcoming a several-week bout with Covid-19 breathing problems and body aches."I become almost catatonic. It feels as though I am under anesthesia." She resumed working in early August, but her mind wandered, and reading emails was"like reading Greek," she said. By September, her employer urged a 13-week leave.
In meetings,"I can't find words," said Reagan, who has now taken a leave."I feel like I sound like an idiot."