A recent study from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that people who have been infected with COVID-19 have a greater risk of many long-term health conditions. These include diabetes, lung problems, fatigue, blood clots, and disorders affecting the gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems. The study followed 138,000 patients who had been infected with COVID-19 and compared their health outcomes to 6 million people who had not been infected. The researchers tracked 80 health conditions associated with long COVID for two years. They found that even patients who were not hospitalized within 30 days of infection had a higher risk of death six months after recovery and a higher risk of hospitalization within 18 months. These patients also had a higher risk of developing diabetes, fatigue, joint pain, and other problems compared to those who had not been infected. The risks were even higher for those who had been hospitalized, with a 65% greater risk of illnesses after two years, while non-hospitalized patients had a 35% greater risk. This study highlights the importance of monitoring and managing long-term health risks in patients who have recovered from COVID-19.