What significant symptom complication can persist for months after COVID-19 infection?

The correct answer highlights the phenomenon often referred to as "long COVID," where individuals experience prolonged symptoms following a COVID-19 infection. This condition can lead to a variety of persistent health issues affecting different systems of the body, and it can last for weeks or even months after the initial infection has resolved. Common symptoms in long COVID may include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and shortness of breath, which can significantly impact the quality of life for those affected.

While fever and chills typically occur during the acute phase of the infection, they usually resolve shortly after recovery. Loss of taste is another symptom commonly associated with COVID-19, but this too generally resolves in the weeks following the infection. Shortness of breath, although it can persist in some cases, is part of the broader category of continued symptoms that encompasses a wide range of ongoing health challenges experienced by individuals post-infection. Hence, acknowledging the ongoing nature of health complications as a whole provides a clearer picture of the potential long-term effects of COVID-19.