Unveiling the Reality of "Long Colds" Beyond Covid: Study

A new study published in The Lancet's eClinicalMedicine suggests that symptoms can persist for months or even years after recovering from various respiratory infections, not just Covid-19. The study identified a "long cold" syndrome that can follow infection with common cold viruses and influenza. While some symptoms overlap with long Covid, such as lightheadedness and dizziness, long cold symptoms are more likely to include coughing, stomach pain, and diarrhea. The research highlights the need to understand the types of long-lasting symptoms that can occur after recovery from an illness, including chronic fatigue syndrome. The study also suggests that more severe illness can increase the risk of long-lasting symptoms, but it is not the sole driver. Further research is needed to determine the causes and mechanisms behind these post-infection syndromes.