Do you suffer from muscle pain, weakness, or fatigue since having COVID-19? Many Long COVID patients face muscle issues, which scientists have started to learn more about. Discover the research findings on why COVID-19 damages muscles in the short-term and long-term.*

How does COVID-19 affect the muscles?

During a COVID-19 infection, the virus enters the cells of hosts and attacks the tissues. Many different areas of the body can be affected, which may include an individual’s muscles. Active COVID-19 patients may face muscle problems because:

• The virus enters the muscle cells and damages the function of how the cell works, which leads to muscle injury.
• In severe cases of COVID-19, the virus affects an individual’s ability to use oxygen properly, requiring oxygen supplementation for a patient in a hospital. Muscles require oxygen to function, which may lead to muscle damage if not supplied. 

When the infection is defeated and the body heals, some patients may recover from muscle injuries. Unfortunately, this is not the case for some patients with Long COVID. 

How is Long COVID causing muscle injuries?

As more and more patients face muscle pain and weakness from Long COVID, scientists have researched the possible mechanisms causing it. Long COVID is affecting the muscles either directly or indirectly. The main reasons, scientists have learned, are:

• The virus directly infects the muscle cells and leads to cellular death.
• The virus invades the central nervous system (CNS), which may lead to strokes, irregular blood clotting, high blood pressure, and fluid build-up. These conditions affect the body’s blood flow to the muscles and cause muscle injuries. 
• The virus affects proteins in our body called cytokines, which regulate immune and inflammatory responses, and create elevated amounts of cytokines. This “cytokine storm” can negatively affect our muscles by causing an accelerated loss of muscle tissue and decreased muscle strength. 
• When severe COVID-19 leads to hospitalization, prolonged immobilization and medication use can affect muscles and lead to a decrease in total muscle weight.  

Researchers add that physical exercise, nutritional monitoring, and other muscle management strategies can be helpful. Work with your physician on how you can improve your strength and fix your muscle injuries. 

*Paharia, P. T. (2022, April 18). The involvement of the skeletal muscles in long COVID-19. News Medical Life Sciences. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220418/The-involvement-of-the-skeletal-muscles-in-long-COVID-19.aspx