COVID-19
Long COVID

Ivan (48 years old)

Ivan, a 48-year-old man with a past medical history of hypertension and obesity, had severe COVID-19 with bilateral pneumonia 3 months ago. During his 10-day hospital stay, he was on supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula and treated with remdesivir and dexamethasone. One month after being discharged from the hospital he reported persistent symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty concentrating. He underwent a thorough evaluation, including laboratory studies and imaging studies, which were unremarkable.

What is the most likely reason for persistent symptoms in this patient?