A study from Queen Mary University of London recommends extended symptoms, comparable to long Covid, can take place after non-COVID severe respiratory infections, stressing the requirement for higher awareness and research study.
The Lingering Aftermath of Respiratory Infections
New research has discovered that people may experience long-term signs– or long colds– after severe breathing infections that check unfavorable for COVID-19. The study, from Queen Mary University of London, was published today (October 6) in The Lancets EClinicalMedicine.
Some of the most common signs of the long cold included coughing, stomach pain, and diarrhea more than 4 weeks after the preliminary infection. While the severity of a health problem appears to be an essential driver of threat of long-term signs, more research study is being brought out to establish why some individuals suffer extended symptoms while others do not.
Comparative Analysis and Findings
The findings suggest that there may be lasting health effects following non-COVID severe breathing infections such as colds, influenza, or pneumonia, that are presently going unacknowledged. The researchers do not yet have evidence recommending that the symptoms have the same seriousness or period as long Covid.
The research, funded by Barts Charity, compared the prevalence and seriousness of long-lasting signs after an episode of COVID-19 vs. an episode of another acute breathing infection that tested negative for COVID-19. Those recuperating from COVID-19 were most likely to experience light-headedness or lightheadedness and issues with taste and smell compared to those who had a non-COVID-19 respiratory infection.
Viewpoints on Long-term Symptoms
While long Covid is now a recognized condition, there have been couple of research studies comparing long-lasting signs following SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection vs. other respiratory infections.
The research study is the current output from COVIDENCE UK, Queen Mary University of Londons national study of COVID-19, released back in 2020 and still in follow-up, with over 19,000 participants registered. This research study evaluated data from 10,171 UK adults, with reactions gathered by means of surveys and analytical analysis carried out to determine symptom clusters.
Giulia Vivaldi, researcher on COVIDENCE UK from Queen Mary University of London and the lead author of the research study, stated: “Our findings shine a light not only on the effect of long Covid on peoples lives, but also other respiratory infections. An absence of awareness– and even the lack of a common term– avoids both reporting and medical diagnosis of these conditions.
” As research study into long Covid continues, we require to take the chance to investigate and consider the long lasting impacts of other severe breathing infections.
” These long infections are so tough to detect and treat mostly because of a lack of diagnostic tests and there being many possible symptoms. There have actually been more than 200 examined for long Covid alone.”
Professional Opinions and Future Directions
Professor Adrian Martineau, Chief Investigator of COVIDENCE UK and Clinical Professor of Respiratory Infection and Immunity at Queen Mary University of London, said: “Our findings may chime with the experience of people who have had problem with prolonged symptoms after having a respiratory infection in spite of screening negative for COVID-19 on a nose or throat swab.
” Ongoing research study into the long-term results of COVID-19 and other intense respiratory infections is necessary because it can help us to get to the root of why some people experience more prolonged symptoms than others. Ultimately this could assist us to recognize the most suitable form of treatment and care for afflicted people.”
Victoria King, Director of Funding and Impact at Barts Charity said: “Barts Charity promptly supported COVIDENCE UK in action to the outbreak of COVID-19 to help notify of its threat factors and impacts. These findings highlight not just the long-term symptoms experienced by individuals after Covid infection, but by individuals after other intense breathing infections. As we discover more about long Covid symptoms and their possible treatments, research studies like this assistance to develop higher awareness around other extended respiratory infections that might be going unacknowledged.”
Reference: “Long-term symptom profiles after COVID-19 vs other intense respiratory infections: a population-based observational research study” by Giulia Vivaldi, Paul E. Pfeffer, Mohammad Talaei, Tariro Jayson Basera, Seif O. Shaheen and Adrian R. Martineau, 6 October 2023, EClinicalMedicine.DOI: 10.1016/ j.eclinm.2023.102251.