Abstract:
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated an unprecedented
global health burden, not only through acute illness but through a protracted syndrome of post
infection sequelae collectively termed 'Long COVID' or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2
infection (PASC). Objective: This article reviews the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical
manifestations, and organ-specific complications of COVID-19, with emphasis on the long-term
burden of PASC. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed studies, clinical registries, and
WHO situation reports published between 2020 and 2024 was conducted. Results: COVID-19
complications span multiple organ systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular,
neurological, renal, and immune systems. PASC affects an estimated 10–35% of COVID-19
survivors and represents a major unresolved public health challenge. Conclusion:
Multidisciplinary post-COVID care pathways, sustained biomedical research, and long-term
surveillance systems are urgently needed to address the growing burden of PASC globally
