|
From The Asian Reporter, V32, #3 (March
7, 2022), page 7.
Can you get long COVID after an infection with
omicron?
By Laura Ungar
AP Science Writer
AP Illustration by Peter Hamlin
Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron?
It’s too early to know for sure, but many doctors believe
it’s possible to have long-term effects from the omicron variant
of the virus.
Long COVID is usually diagnosed many weeks after a bout with
COVID-19. Any long-lasting effects typically appear about 90
days after symptoms of the initial infection go away, Maria Van
Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said.
Overall, some estimates suggest more than a third of COVID-19
survivors will develop some symptoms of long COVID. Symptoms
include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, anxiety, and
other problems. The lingering illness is more likely if you’ve
been hospitalized with COVID-19, but research shows it can
happen even after a mild infection.
Omicron (B.1.1.529) began its race around the world late last
year. The variant generally causes milder illness than the delta
version (B.1.617.2) of the coronavirus, but has still
overwhelmed hospitals.
Van Kerkhove said she hasn’t seen any research indicating
that the portion of COVID-19 survivors who get long COVID will
change with the omicron variant.
Dr. Linda Geng of Stanford University, who co-directs one of
the many clinics specializing in long COVID, said that though
she can’t say for sure, a new wave of patients is likely.
"We have to be very cautious and very careful and prepared,"
Geng said.
In the meantime, scientists are racing to figure out what’s
behind the mysterious condition. Some theories? It may be an
autoimmune disorder. Tiny microclots may be causing the
disabling symptoms. Or perhaps latent viruses in the body have
been reactivated.
Scientists are also looking at whether vaccines could be part
of the answer. A Yale University team is studying the
possibility that vaccination might reduce long COVID symptoms.
And two other studies offer early evidence that being vaccinated
before getting COVID-19 could help prevent the lingering illness
or at least reduce its severity.
|
