(MENAFN) A comprehensive study examining the aftermath of Omicron variant infections has uncovered a significant finding: approximately one in ten individuals who contracted the highly contagious Covid-19 strain experienced symptoms of long Covid in the six months following their infection. This statistic stands in stark contrast to the previously cited figure of 30 percent, indicating that long Covid might have been more prevalent and severe in individuals infected with earlier variants.

Spearheaded by the National Institutes of Health and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the study involved an expansive sample size of about 10,000 individuals in the United States. Its primary focus was to delineate the symptoms of long Covid with the ultimate goal of offering clearer definitions and potential treatment avenues for those grappling with its enduring effects.

Rachel Levine, the United States assistant secretary for health, emphasized the importance of this research for the individuals contending with long Covid, stating, “Americans living with long Covid want to understand what is happening with their bodies.” Her remarks were part of an NIH news release on Thursday, highlighting the significance of this study's findings.
Among the 9,764 participants, consisting of 8,646 individuals who had contracted Covid-19 and 1,118 who had not, researchers identified over 30 distinct symptoms that persisted for six months or longer after infection. Utilizing a patient-reported scoring system, the list of long Covid symptoms was refined down to 12 primary indicators.

Topping the list of long Covid symptoms was post-exertional malaise, a condition characterized by an overwhelming sense of exhaustion following even minor mental or physical exertion. It was followed closely by fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, heart palpitations, diminished sexual desire or energy, loss of smell or taste, persistent thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, and abnormal movements.

These findings represent a crucial advancement in our understanding of long Covid, offering valuable insights into its prevalence, duration, and primary symptoms, particularly in the context of the Omicron variant. This newfound knowledge lays the groundwork for more targeted approaches to diagnosis, management, and potential interventions for those grappling with the lingering effects of Covid-19.

MENAFN25102023000045015687ID1107300907