Why Do Some COVID-19 Survivors Still Feel Sick?
COVID-19 hit us hard and unexpectedly, but what’s more puzzling for many is why some of those who’ve recovered continue to feel ill.
Common complaints include feeling constantly tired, difficulty in breathing, being unable to focus, and weak muscles. This puzzling post-recovery sickness, commonly called “long COVID,” has stumped researchers globally.
Researchers from the University of Malta might have found a significant clue.
What Did the Researchers Find?
Interestingly, the virus causing COVID-19, known as SARS-CoV-2, enters human cells through a specific gateway – the ACE2 receptor.
The team from Malta found that if you reduce the number of these ACE2 receptors, even without the virus, it can lead to fatigue and decreased activity.
They used fruit flies in their studies because these tiny creatures surprisingly have a lot in common with us, genetically.
To put it in simple words, imagine if the ACE2 receptor is like the door to our home. The virus knocks on this door to get inside.
But if too many of these doors (or receptors) are missing or damaged, it’s as if our home starts having problems, like a power cut or water shortage.
Why is This Finding Important?
Professor Ruben Cauchi, one of the lead researchers, mentioned that this study suggests the loss or damage of the ACE2 receptor might be behind the muscle and nerve-related issues many long COVID patients face.
When they closely examined how the nerve cells communicated with muscle cells in their fruit fly models, they noticed a problem.
It was like a telephone line between the two was cut off. Key molecules that are supposed to carry messages from nerves to muscles weren’t working as they should.
What Causes This Disruption?
Here’s where things get a bit more complex. While the virus uses the ACE2 receptor to enter cells, it might not be the only reason these receptors get damaged.
Think of it like this: if the virus is a burglar breaking into our home through the front door, sometimes our body’s defense system, the immune system, mistakenly damages the door while trying to chase the burglar away.
In medical terms, this is similar to diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, where our immune system mistakenly attacks our own body.
Dr. Paul Herrera, who was also a part of the study, mentioned that there are even instances where traces of the virus remain in the body long after the person has recovered.
This breakthrough by the University of Malta not only helps us understand why some people continue to suffer long after recovering from COVID-19 but also points towards potential treatments to help them get back on their feet.
In a world where long COVID continues to baffle us, findings like these are a ray of hope, promising a path towards healing and understanding.
If you care about Covid-19, please read studies about new ways to prevent the common cold (and maybe COVID-19), and common diabetes drugs linked to less severe COVID-19.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about COVID infection and vaccination linked to heart disease, and results showing extracts from two wild plants can inhibit the COVID-19 virus.
The study was published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)—Molecular Basis of Disease.
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