What’s lengthy COVID? 12 defining signs revealed

Scientists could also be one step nearer to growing remedy choices for lengthy COVID after figuring out 12 of the debilitating sickness’ key signs.

“This examine is a vital step towards defining lengthy COVID past anybody particular person symptom,” mentioned examine creator Dr. Leora Horwitz, co-principal investigator for the RECOVER Medical Science Core, at NYU Langone Well being.

“This method — which can evolve over time — will function a basis for scientific discovery and remedy design,” she added.

Lengthy COVID is the collection of situations that persist after an individual contracts the coronavirus.

The examine printed Thursday in JAMA discovered lengthy COVID was extra frequent and extreme in examine individuals who had been contaminated earlier than the 2021 Omicron variant, unvaccinated or reinfected.

The examine is funded by the Nationwide Institutes of Well being as a part of the “RECOVER” initiative to know why some individuals develop long-term signs following a COVID-19 an infection.

Researchers examined information from 9,764 adults. Within the group, 8,646 had COVID-19 and 1,118 didn’t.

Greater than 100 million People have been contaminated with the virus that causes COVID-19. An estimated 6% of these contaminated proceed to expertise lengthy COVID.

“People dwelling with lengthy COVID wish to perceive what is going on with their our bodies,” mentioned Dr. Rachel L. Levine, assistant secretary for well being.

The signs are: 

• post-exertional malaise (debilitating fatigue that will get worse after bodily or psychological exercise)
• fatigue
• mind fog
• dizziness
• gastrointestinal signs
• coronary heart palpitations
• points with sexual want or capability
• lack of odor or style
• thirst
• persistent cough
• chest ache
• irregular actions