New Research Reveals Long-Term Symptoms After Cold and Flu Infections
According to recent research conducted by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and published in the Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine journal, individuals who have been infected with the cold or flu may experience symptoms that last four weeks or longer. The study compared the long-term symptoms of individuals with long COVID to those infected with other respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, influenza, bronchitis, and the common cold. These symptoms, which include coughs, stomach pain, and trouble sleeping, may have previously gone unrecognized as potential long-term health impacts associated with respiratory illnesses other than COVID.
The findings of this study shed light on the lasting effects that respiratory illnesses can have on individuals’ health, emphasizing the need for further research and recognition of these potential impacts. While the severity and duration of symptoms may differ between long COVID and non-COVID respiratory illnesses, both groups experienced a range of symptoms related to gastrointestinal, neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary problems. Long COVID sufferers, in particular, reported challenges with taste and smell, lightheadedness, and dizziness in higher prevalence compared to other respiratory illnesses. However, individuals with non-COVID respiratory illnesses reported a smaller prevalence of muscle or joint pain and hair loss.
It is worth noting that the severity of the initial infection seemed to play a role in the risk of experiencing long-term symptoms. Health Canada defines long COVID as the condition where symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks after a COVID-19 infection. A report published by the science journal Nature highlights the burden that long COVID poses to patients, healthcare providers, governments, and economies worldwide. The report describes the disease as affecting multiple organs and systems, with potential organ damage even in cases without symptoms. Additionally, evidence suggests that the virus may remain in the body and cause micro blood clots.
To conduct their research, the scientists at QMUL analyzed data from 15,688 participants who completed a questionnaire between January and February 2021. The study found that individuals with non-COVID respiratory illnesses were more likely to report coughing or a hoarse voice compared to those with COVID. Both groups experienced breathlessness and fatigue. However, participants with long COVID showed a higher probability of memory problems, difficulty concentrating, an unusual racing heart, sweating, hair loss, and problems with taste or smell.
The study suggests that further research should focus on enabling the diagnosis of long COVID and other post-acute sequelae, ensuring that individuals with ongoing symptoms receive the necessary support. With limited diagnostic tests available, it is crucial to improve our understanding of long-term symptoms associated with respiratory illnesses and develop effective strategies for diagnosis and treatment.
Sources:
– The Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine journal
– Nature “The Immunology of long COVID” report
– Health Canada
– Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
