Long COVID

In Australia, around 5–10% of COVID-19 cases report symptoms persisting for more than 3 months. Key risk factors include severe COVID-19 illness, comorbidities, female sex, and mid-adult age groups.

The exact causes of Long COVID are not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to its development. Here are some insights:

Immune System Response: After the initial COVID-19 infection, some people’s immune systems may go into overdrive, leading them to attack not only the virus but also their own organs. This immune response could be a contributing factor to the persistent symptoms experienced in Long COVID¹.

Viral Persistence: Although most people recover from COVID-19 within a few weeks, some individuals continue to experience symptoms for several weeks or even months. It’s possible that the virus persists in certain tissues or organs, causing ongoing inflammation and symptoms².

Vascular and Neurological Effects: COVID-19 can affect blood vessels and the nervous system. Long COVID symptoms, such as brain fog, fatigue, and chest pain, may be related to these vascular and neurological effects³.

Other Coronaviruses: Previous coronaviruses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), have been known to cause long-term effects. It’s plausible that the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 could have similar consequences⁴.