Yes, COVID-19 can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition where the lung tissue becomes scarred and thickened, leading to difficulty in breathing. While most people who get COVID-19 recover without any long-term problems, some people can develop severe respiratory complications, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
Studies have shown that COVID-19 can cause lung damage that leads to fibrosis. The virus can trigger an immune response that causes inflammation in the lungs, which can lead to scarring and fibrosis over time. This can happen even in people who had mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID-19.
It’s important to note that not everyone who gets COVID-19 will develop pulmonary fibrosis, and the risk of developing this condition is higher in people who have had severe cases of the disease. However, the risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis is still relatively low, and most people who recover from COVID-19 do not have any long-term lung damage.
