Thread by @zalaly

Some people objected to use of the term “long flu”

Let me explain

A thread

thelancet.com/journals/lanin…

Lets start with the evidence about health loss

higher in post-acute flu than acute flu

higher in post-acute covid (long covid) than acute covid

In both acute and post-acute phases, burden of health loss was higher in covid than flu

thelancet.com/journals/lanin…

For me, a big revelation from the study was:

the realization that when you measure it, the burden of health loss is higher in post-acute (long) phase of illness than acute phase of illness

I knew this about covid
I did not know this about flu

Bottom line

Covid is worse than flu
Acute covid is worse than acute flu
post-acute covid (long covid) is worse than post-acute flu

thelancet.com/journals/lanin…

The headline in the Daily Mail is not an accurate depiction of the evidence.
It is reckless and irresponsible.
They never spoke to me about this.

Patients with ME/CFS and other infection-associated chronic illnesses have been telling us all along that infections (even ones that are thought to be acute) can lead to chronic illnesses.

I have learned from them about long flu, long ebola, long polio, long EBV, etc

These terms are meant to communicate that acute infections can also cause chronic disease.

This is a major lesson I learned in this pandemic.

My team and I work very hard to advance our understanding of Long Covid.

We draw lessons from ME/CFS and other infection associated chronic illnesses & grateful for the wisdom and knowledge shared with us by the patient community

We are committed to continuing to do our best to advance our understanding of Long Covid. This will also help us understand other infection-associated chronic illnesses.

We have been doing Long Covid work for only 4 years

We want to continue to learn and do better.

Our ears, minds and hearts are open for advice, guidance, and constructive dialogue.