*Long covid researchers*
a possible clue to help inform hypotheses 🧵
Long Covid symptoms are bilateral BUT one side of the body is always predominantly affected.
(1/17)
a possible clue to help inform hypotheses 🧵
Long Covid symptoms are bilateral BUT one side of the body is always predominantly affected.
(1/17)
Anecdotally, it would seem the left side of the body is more commonly affected.
However, in my case, my right side has always been the worst - both brain & body
(2/17)
However, in my case, my right side has always been the worst - both brain & body
(2/17)
My long Covid symptoms have always been bilateral but the right side of me has always been the worst. E.g.
Right cerebral encephalitis.
Mainly right sided tinnitus.
Right lung worse than left.
(3/17)
Right cerebral encephalitis.
Mainly right sided tinnitus.
Right lung worse than left.
(3/17)
Is the propensity for one side of the body to be predominantly affected caused by:
(A) Dormant viruses becoming reactivated
(B) A direct effect of Covid itself
(4/17)
(A) Dormant viruses becoming reactivated
(B) A direct effect of Covid itself
(4/17)
Although (A) can happen, I suspect (B)
(5/17)
(5/17)
With regards to A (dormant viruses becoming reactivated), we know there is reactivation of VZV in some with Long Covid with some presenting with shingles.
(6/17)
(6/17)
This comes as no surprise. The immune system is busy dealing with Covid, thus giving opportunity for dormant viruses to reactivate.
(7/17)
(7/17)
However, the reason I suspect B (predominantly one side affected to be a direct effect of Covid itself), is because.. symptoms on ‘said’ side of body do not present as shingles. And
(8/17)
(8/17)
In the acute phase of Covid - day 8 - I woke with a mainly right sided urticarial rash.
We know SARS CoV-2 is neurotrophic. Not a coincidence the right of my body has always been worse in Long Covid.
(9/17)
We know SARS CoV-2 is neurotrophic. Not a coincidence the right of my body has always been worse in Long Covid.
(9/17)
(10/17) 
Please note. The rash did later spread to my left side. But the right side was the side first & predominantly affected.
This distribution reflects the severity of my Long Covid symptoms.
(11/17)
This distribution reflects the severity of my Long Covid symptoms.
(11/17)
The propensity of one side of the body to be affected in Long Covid is likely viral driven - not autoimmune.
(12/17)
(12/17)
I do not believe this is an autoimmune phenomenon.
If this were autoimmune, one would expect both sides of the body to be affected in equal measure, or the target organ.
(13/17)
If this were autoimmune, one would expect both sides of the body to be affected in equal measure, or the target organ.
(13/17)
Both viral persistence and autoimmunity will play a part in the pathophysiology of Long Covid.
but we know the former can cause the latter. Which came first: The chicken or the egg?
The virus came first, autoimmunity likely followed.
(14/17)
but we know the former can cause the latter. Which came first: The chicken or the egg?
The virus came first, autoimmunity likely followed.
(14/17)
1.3 million people in the UK have Long Covid. This number will now be greater with the arrival of Omicron.
Thousands of these patients have now been unwell for two years.
(15/17)
Thousands of these patients have now been unwell for two years.
(15/17)
UK Long Covid clinics focus on rehab. It is not rehabilitation patients with Long Covid need. There is an ongoing pathological process which, in many, is causing end organ damage. Long Covid urgently needs addressing with treatment.
(16/17)
(16/17)
I would like to see trials of anti-viral medication and monoclonal antibodies is in those with Long Covid.
(17/17)
(17/17)
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