Organ damage
Direct, structural injury to the heart, lungs, or other organs — more common after severe or hospitalized infection.
SARS-CoV-2 can leave structural injury — myocarditis or pericarditis, lung damage with impaired gas transfer, kidney or other organ involvement — particularly after severe or hospitalized infection. It matters not to miss because management is specialist and condition-specific (e.g. guideline care for pericarditis or heart failure). Detection uses targeted imaging and tests: ECG, echocardiography, cardiac MRI with T1/T2 mapping for occult myo/pericarditis, and hyperpolarized 129-Xe MRI for gas-transfer defects invisible on standard CT.
How it's tested
ECG (electrocardiogram)
A quick, cheap recording of the heart's rhythm and electrical activity.
Echocardiogram / cardiac MRI
Imaging for myocarditis, pericarditis, or impaired heart function. Cardiac MRI with T1/T2 mapping detects occult inflammation.
Pulmonary function tests / chest imaging
Spirometry, diffusion testing, and imaging for lung damage. Hyperpolarized 129-Xe MRI can reveal gas-transfer defects invisible on standard CT.
Treatment options & their evidence
Graded honestly — including treatments that failed in good trials, which is worth knowing.
Specialist, tissue-specific care
Strong evidenceEstablished condition-specific management (e.g. guideline care for pericarditis, heart failure, or lung disease) delivered by the relevant specialist.