A recent study conducted in the UK has suggested that “long colds” can have prolonged symptoms similar to long Covid. The research showed that common long cold symptoms included cough, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. The study involved 10,171 adults who completed questionnaires detailing their respiratory illnesses and other symptoms during the first two months of 2021, before the majority of people had received their Covid-19 vaccination.
1,343 people reported having recently caught Covid-19, and 472 reported having been infected with another respiratory virus, such as flu or a cold. Those who had had respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19, flu or a cold in the weeks prior, were more likely to experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach problems, muscle or joint pain, sleep problems, memory problems, difficulty in concentrating, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, and coughing.
The researchers behind the study stated that there is a need to understand who is at risk, how severe symptoms can be, and what can be done to alleviate them. The research findings provide validation for patients with prolonged symptoms after an initial infection. Giulia Vivaldi, lead researcher in the study, believes that a lack of awareness prevents both reporting and diagnosis of conditions such as “long colds” and “long Covid”.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, around 1.9 million people in the UK, roughly 3% of the population, were experiencing long Covid in spring 2021. However, it is difficult to determine exactly how many people are affected. The study supports previous findings that showed that long-term symptoms are common after respiratory infections, not just after Covid-19. Finally, Professor Paul Harrison cautioned that the term “long cold” should not belittle the very significant disability that some people with long Covid suffer.
In conclusion, it is vital that further research is undertaken to better understand the lasting effects of respiratory infections such as “long colds” and “long Covid”. The results of this study provide a much-needed validation for those who experience prolonged symptoms, and help to shine a light on the impact of long-lasting illness on people’s lives
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More