Feeling puzzled by the term “Long COVID”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Today, we’ll dive into the world of “Long COVID”, the mysterious after-party of COVID-19 infection, and how Singapore’s top-notch scientists are revealing secrets behind this strange guest.
COVID-19’s Extended Visit
COVID-19 is a virus that usually makes people sick for a few days or weeks. But sometimes, the virus overstays its welcome.
For some folks, symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and aches stick around for several weeks or even longer. We call this ‘Long COVID’. And it’s like the annoying guest at the party who just doesn’t get the hint to leave!
Who Gets the Long Haul?
Mostly, people who’ve had a severe bout of COVID-19 or those who haven’t had their COVID-19 vaccine can find themselves in this long-haul situation.
The why and how of Long COVID remains a mystery, like the secret ingredient in grandma’s apple pie.
Singapore’s Long COVID Sleuths
To unravel this mystery, scientists from A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs and the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore decided to turn detective.
They kept an eye on 78 folks who had been in the hospital because of COVID-19 for two whole years. Yes, they tracked them for 24 months to check on after-effects of the virus.
What They Found
After a year, about 37% of these patients still had symptoms. Scientists found that these folks had lingering inflammation in their bodies.
It was as if their body’s immune system was still throwing punches at an enemy that had left the building. Interestingly, the older patients, or those who had more severe initial infections, were more likely to show this prolonged inflammation.
It’s In the Cells
The immune cells in these folks showed signs of aging, like a car that’s seen better days.
This fascinating discovery gives us a peek into the long-lasting effects of COVID-19. So, we’re a step closer to finding out how to target and treat these ongoing symptoms.
The Vaccine Connection
All the patients in this study had one dose of mRNA vaccine 12-16 months after their infection. When comparing their immune profiles at 12 months and 24 months, the scientists made an exciting discovery.
After 24 months, most of the inflammatory markers and misbehaving immune cells had returned to levels seen in healthy vaccinated individuals.
A Boost from Vaccination
The results showed that getting vaccinated didn’t worsen symptoms or increase inflammation for the COVID-19 patients.
In fact, it’s a good idea for long-haulers to get vaccinated. Not only can it protect against getting re-infected, but it might also help settle the body’s inflammation and immune response.
The Future of Long COVID
As we continue to delve into the world of Long COVID, it’s crucial to remember that it’s a tricky condition to understand. The research is racing ahead, but there’s still a lot to learn. So, if you’re dealing with Long COVID, hang in there.
There’s hope that symptoms will fade with time, and we’re closer to finding treatments that can speed up recovery.
As the scientists keep cracking this tough nut, remember – every step forward is a step towards waving Long COVID a long-awaited goodbye!
If you care about Covid-19, please read studies about new way to prevent the common cold (and maybe COVID-19), and common diabetes drug 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 COVID-19 virus.
The study was published in the Journal of Medical Virology. Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
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