Trends of Common Laboratory Biomarkers after SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Study on the largest infected cohort to date: up to date (26M laboratory results) looks at how SARS-CoV-2 impacts lab results.
Analysis of fat oxidation capacity during cardiopulmonary exercise testing indicates long-lasting metabolic disturbance in patients with post-covid-19 syndrome
“Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS) is characterized by symptoms including fatigue, reduced physical performance, dyspnea, cognitive impairment, and psychological distress. The mechanisms underlying the onset and severity of PCS point to mitochondrial dysfunction as significant contributor. This study examined fat oxidation as a function of mitochondrial capacity during exercise.”
Did I not get the memo?
“Why do emergency department reports and hospital discharge summaries not mention that my patient tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (or had “a really bad cold” or “the worst flu ever”) 1 month before they presented to hospital with weakness, falls, confusion, dyspnea, heart failure, acute kidney injury, or non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction? Doesn’t that seem relevant? It does to me.”pos
Long-Term Consequences of Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
“Long-Term Consequences of Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
Long COVID patients suffer high rate of autonomic disorders, researchers say - National | Globalnews.ca
As many as 30% of Long COVID patients meet the criteria for a condition called POTS, a form of dysautonomia known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.’
The association between prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and work outcomes
“The association between prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and work outcomes”
The association between prolonged SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and work outcomes
Long Covid is a significant health crisis in China too
“Long Covid can affect nearly every organ system resulting in various symptoms including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, post-exertional malaise, autonomic dysfunction, and chronic conditions including new onset diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and neurologic disorders.2 Long Covid can affect people across the lifespan and across age, race and ethnicity, and baseline health status.3 Chinese scientists were among the first to report Long Covid in people who survived the acute phase of Covid-19.4 However, these early seminal Chinese studies on Long Covid were exclusively from Wuhan – where the pandemic originated. Because of China’s zero Covid policies, infection rates plummeted quickly in Wuhan and were very low and sporadic outside of Wuhan for much of 2020, 2021, and 2022. However, China relaxed its zero Covid policies at the end of 2022 which led to explosion of cases – hundreds of millions of Chinese got infected…”
If 20% of those infected get Long COVID, and 37% of those quit work due to the symptoms, that’s over 7% of the people catching COVID that leave the workforce and school. (See Stanford study linked below)
“If 20% of those infected get Long COVID, and 37% of those quit work due to the symptoms, that’s over 7% of the people catching COVID that leave the workforce and school. (See Stanford study linked below)
That is a staggering number.
Let’s sanity check that. Figure some 60% of the population has been infected in the last year. So out of the workforce of 150m that would mean some 90m were infected and over 6m would have left the workforce from debilitating Long COVID just in the last year.
While that is a depressingly large number, it does match up with earlier surveys that estimated between 18-22m had left the workforce due to Long COVIS and never returned since the start of the pandemic almost five years ago.
So yes, those are huge numbers which comprise a huge drag on the US economy. It would be WAY cheaper to develop and deploy new vaccines and air quality improvements, even on a national scale. (And it would save a lot of lives and livelihoods as well.)
But worst thing about our current lackadaisical approach to public health, is that the damage is ongoing and will continue until we force our leaders to do something about it.”
Experiences of Canadians with long-term symptoms following COVID-19
“About 3.5 million Canadian adults reported experiencing long-term symptoms following a COVID-19 infection; 2.1 million reported they were still experiencing those symptoms as of June 2023. Almost half of those still experiencing symptoms reported they have not seen any improvement in symptoms over time.”
About 3.5 million Canadian adults reported experiencing long-term symptoms following a COVID-19 infection; 2.1 million reported they were still experiencing those symptoms as of June 2023. Almost half of those still experiencing symptoms reported they have not seen any improvement in symptoms over time.
L0NG C0VID is not a simple yes or no; it exists on a spectrum that ranges from asymptomatic today to severe, with many nuances in between(Personal simplified perspective):
“L0NG C0VID is not a simple yes or no; it exists on a spectrum that ranges from asymptomatic today to severe, with many nuances in between(Personal simplified perspective):
Asymptomatic: You may feel fine now, but future health issues could emerge in months or years to come.
Mild: You can carry out your daily tasks but face challenges that you might try to conceal from others.
Moderate: Your ability to perform everyday activities, such as work, sports, and hobbies, is noticeably affected, requiring adjustments to your routine.
Severe: You are bedridden and unable to function normally.
🔥Each new reinfection can increase the risk of developing Long COVID, potentially worsening the condition for those already suffering. And remember, LC has NO TREATMENT, NO CURE today, only some possible symptomatic relief at best.”
Temporal trajectories of long-COVID symptoms in adults with 22 months follow-up in a prospective cohort study in Norway
Norway study followed people for 22 months starting in March 2020 prior to infection. Memory and concentration problems persisted after infection, and didn't attenuate with time.
“Memory or concentration problems and dyspnoea were long-COVID symptoms.
•
Other long-COVID symptoms were anosmia, dysgeusia and fatigue…
…This can have profound effects on everyday functioning. The fact that cognitive symptoms are persistent, and most of the population have been, or will be, infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, makes it crucial that further research focuses on the pathophysiology, and treatment”
Long Covid symptoms
Long Covid symptom severity based on number of reinfections. Symptoms are more severe upon the third and fourth infection. (Especially fatigue and memory decline.)
From November, 2024 Lancet “Long COVID facts and findings: a large-scale online survey in 74,075 Chinese participants”
Persistent dysfunctions of brain metabolic connectivity in long-covid with cognitive symptoms
FDG-PET scans revealed persistent brain dysfunction in long covid
“Hypoconnectivity and absence of hypometabolism suggest that connectivity derangement in frontal networks could be related to protraction of neurological symptoms in long-term COVID patients.”
Long COVID facts and findings: a large-scale online survey in 74,075 Chinese participants
(MY NOTE: China vaccines are not MRNA technology. The better reduction in long-term Long Covid symptoms relative to multiple boosters compared to studies with MRNA patients is significant. Would like to see Long Covid data out of Cuba, a country that also did not use MRNA.)
“Analysis of 68,200 valid responses revealed that the most frequent long COVID symptoms include fatigue (30.53%), memory decline (27.93%), decreased exercise ability (18.29%), and brain fog (16.87%). These symptoms were less prevalent among those infected only once: fatigue (24.85%), memory decline (18.11%), and decreased exercise ability (12.52%), etc. Women were more likely to experience long COVID, with symptoms varying by age group, except for sleep disorders and muscle/joint pain, which were more common in older individuals. Northern China exhibits a higher prevalence of long COVID, potentially linked to temperature gradients. Risk factors included underlying diseases, alcohol consumption, smoking, and the severity of acute infection (OR > 1, FDR < 0.05). Reinfection was associated with milder symptoms but led to a higher incidence and severity of long COVID (OR > 1, FDR < 0.05). Vaccination, particularly multiple boosters, significantly reduced long-term symptoms by 30%–70% (OR < 1, FDR < 0.05). COVID-19 participants also self-reported more bacterial, influenza and mycoplasma infections, and 8%–10% of patients felt SARS-CoV-2-induced chronic diseases.”
Long Covid symptom chart
Outpatient treatment of COVID-19 and incidence of post-COVID-19 condition over 10 months (COVID-OUT): a multicentre, randomised, quadruple-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 trial
“Participants were randomly assigned via 2 × 3 parallel factorial randomisation (1:1:1:1:1:1) to receive metformin plus ivermectin, metformin plus fluvoxamine, metformin plus placebo, ivermectin plus placebo, fluvoxamine plus placebo, or placebo plus placebo.
When metformin was started within 3 days of symptom onset, the HR was 0·37 (95% CI 0·15–0·95). There was no effect on cumulative incidence of long COVID with ivermectin (HR 0·99, 95% CI 0·59–1·64) or fluvoxamine (1·36, 0·78–2·34) compared with placebo.
There was no effect on cumulative incidence of long COVID with ivermectin (HR 0·99, 95% CI 0·59–1·64) or fluvoxamine (1·36, 0·78–2·34) compared with placebo.
…Outpatient treatment with metformin reduced long COVID incidence by about 41%, with an absolute reduction of 4·1%, compared with placebo. Metformin has clinical benefits when used as outpatient treatment for COVID-19 and is globally available, low-cost, and safe.”
Long COVID symptoms prevalent among healthcare workers
King’s College of London: “Long COVID symptoms prevalent among healthcare workers”
New research has found that 33.6% of surveyed healthcare workers in England report symptoms consistent with post-COVID syndrome
this is a very emotional town hall. Harris takes a question from a homeless woman whose life was wrecked by long covid about what she'll do for people like her
“this is a very emotional town hall. Harris takes a question from a homeless woman whose life was wrecked by long covid about what she'll do for people like her”
Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their impact
“Patients with Long COVID report prolonged, multisystem involvement and significant disability. By seven months, many patients have not yet recovered (mainly from systemic and neurological/cognitive symptoms), have not returned to previous levels of work, and continue to experience significant symptom burden.”
Patients with Long COVID report prolonged, multisystem involvement and significant disability. By seven months, many patients have not yet recovered (mainly from systemic and neurological/cognitive symptoms), have not returned to previous levels of work, and continue to experience significant symptom burden.
Long COVID's hidden toll: How does post-exertional malaise affect skeletal muscles?
“Significantly reduced exercise capacity was observed in long COVID patients that was not associated with the cardiovascular system but poorer ventilatory function during exercise and peripheral skeletal muscle impairments. These patients had a lower maximal oxygen pulse, gas exchange threshold, and peripheral oxygen extraction, indicative of skeletal muscle issues.”
Exercise Causes Muscle Damage and Energy Depletion in Long COVID - Health Rising
Intense exercise might pose risks for long COVID patients, study finds
“Exercise may harm those with long COVID, as intense activity can lead to severe tissue damage, a new study found.”
Exercise may harm those with long COVID, as intense activity can lead to severe tissue damage, a new study found.
Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID
“Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID”
A discovery in the muscles of long COVID patients may explain exercise troubles
"I don't think the messaging has been strong enough," says David Putrino, the director of rehabilitation innovation for Mount Sinai Health System. "It is very clear that this is not a typical response to exercise."
Rushing back to exercise could cause long Covid
“Young Covid-19 survivors say they would never have pushed themselves physically during recovery if they had known it may have played a role in triggering their long Covid, an expert says.”
Young Covid-19 survivors say they would never have pushed themselves physically during recovery if they had known it may have played a role in triggering their long Covid, an expert says.
It’s only October 11th and we now have 3x the number of referrals to our Long COVID clinic than usual.
“It’s only October 11th and we now have 3x the number of referrals to our Long COVID clinic than usual. THREE TIMES MORE.
50% of our referrals contracted COVID in 2024. Of those, half contracted COVID over summer 2024.
COVID prevention is the only to way to prevent Long COVID. We have to do better.”
LARGEST MULTI-ANCESTRY GENOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION STUDY (GWAS) of Long COVID
“This implies that some people may be genetically predisposed to developing post-viral syndromes after COVID-19.
Overall, these findings provide important insights into the genetic basis of Long COVID.
HEALTH UPDATE:
“HEALTH UPDATE:
It has officially been one year since I contracted Covid-19 while on set for my movie that I’ve been working on.
I was once a very healthy 31-year old man, but now every day is a struggle for me.
A THREAD... 🧵”
A clinical trial of repurposed HIV antivirals in LongCOVID - PolyBio Research Foundation
“A clinical trial to test if two repurposed HIV antivirals (Truvada and Maraviroc) can reduce symptom burden in patients with LongCOVID.”
Long Covid nearly broke me. Now I’m curing fellow sufferers
“Dr Ben Sinclair...became so ill after contracting coronavirus he could barely move or talk. Now he has opened pioneering clinics fighting a disease that afflicts more than two million people in the UK”