In the spring, the U.S. government and the World Health Organization declared an end to the COVID-19 global health emergency. But for millions of people who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the pandemic's legacy of pain, suffering and daily disruption persists as a debilitating condition known as long COVID.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system shows that even two years after infection with the virus, fallout from COVID-19 may persist.
But those hospitalized within 30 days of being infected with the virus fared worse. Two years after infection, their risk of death and hospitalization remained elevated, and their risk of adverse health conditions remained significant across all organ systems."Our findings highlight the substantial cumulative burden of health loss due to long COVID and emphasize the ongoing need for health care for those faced with long COVID," said Al-Aly, who treats patients within the VA St.
The researchers analyzed about 6 million de-identified medical records in a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the nation's largest integrated health care system. Patients represented multiple ages, races and sexes. Compared with the control group, the post-infection risks of death and hospitalization among those not hospitalized diminished and became on par with the non-infected control group at six months and 19 months, respectively. Over the two-year span, the risks decreased and became insignificant for 55 of the 80 long COVID-related conditions studied by researchers.
"This 25% is a substantial proportion of an exorbitantly high burden of disability and disease," Al-Aly said."This illustrates the long and arduous journey of dealing with the long-term health consequences of the virus. COVID-19 still generates substantial additional risks of health loss even in the second year after infection."
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Gutted' England fans in Australia make long journey home after devastating World Cup defeatThe patriotic Poms held their collective breath at Stadium Australia, but it was anything but Sweet Caroline in the final minutes
Read more »
Millie Bright's journey from childhood health battle to World Cup finalThe England women's star has come a long way from her childhood health problems that would leave her needing medical assistance and an ambulance 'several times a week'
Read more »
Has Long Covid contributed to labor market inactivity in the UK?Researchers investigated the association between Long Covid and subsequent labor market outcomes in working-age adults from the UK.
Read more »
'Alarming' study ties Covid to major health disorderThe study followed more than 45,000 people.
Read more »