Long COVID Symptoms Potentially Linked to Viral Infections

Researchers have identified potential viral contributors to long COVID symptoms, which include breathlessness, fatigue, and brain fog. A review published in eLife by 17 experts, including Maria Laura Gennaro from Rutgers Health, suggests that co-infections occurring alongside SARS-CoV-2 may exacerbate long-lasting symptoms.

Long COVID has impacted up to 400 million people globally, affecting multiple body systems, yet no proven treatments exist due to unclear underlying causes. One significant viral suspect is Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV, with studies indicating that two-thirds of long COVID patients show signs of recent EBV activity.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is another pathogen of interest, as COVID may weaken the immune system's ability to contain it, potentially leading to reactivation. The review highlights the concept of 'immunity theft,' where acute COVID may leave individuals more vulnerable to other infections.

The researchers propose that existing antibiotics and antivirals might be repurposed to aid in treating these co-infections, but they caution that the hypothesis remains unproven and requires further research.

Gennaro emphasizes the need for large epidemiological studies to verify the connections outlined in their findings, which could pave the way for new treatment approaches for long COVID patients.