Many people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus continue to experience symptoms months after overcoming the initial infection, a condition known as long COVID. Now, a team of scientists has found that COVID-19 isn’t the only infectious disease that affects the respiratory system and can have long-term health consequences.
A study by researchers at Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom suggests that some people with acute respiratory infections who test negative for COVID-19 can also exhibit Long-term symptoms or “long cold”.
This work has been published in electronic clinical medicine and found that some of the most common symptoms of a “long cold” are Cough, stomachache, and diarrhea More than four weeks after initial infection. The risk of long-term symptoms usually depends in part on the severity of the disease, but new research is underway to find out why this occurs in some people and not others.
Long-term symptoms of a cold, flu, or pneumonia
Research findings suggest that having the following conditions may have lasting negative health effects Non-COVID-19 acute respiratory infection, such as colds, flu, or pneumonia, are not yet identifiable. However, researchers found no evidence that symptoms were of the same severity or duration as long-term COVID-19.
“Our findings may be consistent with the experiences of people who struggle with symptoms for a long time after a respiratory infection, despite testing negative for COVID-19.”
Barts Charity funded the study, which compared the prevalence and severity of long-term symptoms after an episode of COVID-19 with that after an episode of another acute respiratory infection who tested negative for COVID-19. People recovering from COVID-19 are more likely to experience brain fog or dizziness and changes in their sense of taste and smell than those who have a respiratory infection unrelated to COVID-19.
The study is part of Queen Mary University of London’s COVIDENCE UK national COVID-19 study, which began in 2020 and is still ongoing with more than 19,000 participants enrolled. The study analyzed data from 10,171 British adults who answered questionnaires and conducted statistical analysis to identify clusters of symptoms.
“Our findings shed light not only on the impact of long-term COVID-19 on people’s lives, but also on other respiratory infections. A lack of awareness, or even a common terminology, hinders reporting and diagnosis of these diseases,” Queen Mary University of London said Giulia Vivaldi, a COVID-19 UK researcher and lead author of the study.
“As research into long-term COVID-19 continues, we must take the opportunity to investigate and consider the lasting effects of other acute respiratory infections.” “These ‘long-term’ infections are difficult to diagnose and treat, mainly due to the lack of diagnostic tests and the large number of possible symptoms. “More than 200 COVID-19 cases have been investigated over a long period of time alone. “
teacher Adrian MartinoCOVIDENCE UK lead researcher and Clinical Professor of Respiratory Infection and Immunity at Queen Mary University of London said: “Our findings may resonate with the experiences of those who struggle with symptoms long after a respiratory infection, despite COVID-19 from a nose or throat swab. 19 tested negative.”
“Continued research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 and other acute respiratory infections is important because it can help us get to the root of why some people experience symptoms for longer than others. Ultimately, this can help us Determine the most appropriate form of treatment and take care of those affected,” the expert concluded.