A Simplified Explanation of Fibrin's Role in COVID-19
The Problem:
* COVID-19 can cause blood clots and brain issues.
* These problems can continue even after the infection is gone.
* Scientists don't fully understand how these clots form or what they do to the body.
The Discovery:
* Scientists found that a protein called fibrin plays a big role in these problems.
* Fibrin helps form blood clots.
* In COVID-19, fibrin can bind to the virus and cause more inflammation.
How Fibrin Works:
* Clot Formation: Fibrin helps create blood clots, which can be harmful if they form in the wrong places.
* Inflammation: Fibrin can also trigger inflammation, which can damage tissues.
* Brain Problems: Fibrin can lead to problems in the brain, including inflammation and damage to brain cells.
Potential Solution:
* The scientists found that a special antibody might be able to stop fibrin from causing these problems.
* This antibody could be a possible treatment for COVID-19, especially for people with severe symptoms or long-lasting effects.
In Conclusion:
This research shows that fibrin is a key player in the problems caused by COVID-19. Understanding fibrin's role could lead to new treatments for this disease.
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Lyme disease and Long COVID share several overlapping characteristics, particularly in their chronic or persistent forms, as both can lead to prolonged, multisystem symptoms that significantly impact quality of life. Below, I outline the key commonalities based on available medical understanding: 1. Chronic Fatigue: Both conditions often present with profound, debilitating fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. In Lyme disease, this is a hallmark of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), while in Long COVID, it’s commonly referred to as post-exertional malaise or chronic fatigue. 2. Cognitive Dysfunction: Patients with both conditions frequently report “brain fog,” including difficulties with memory, concentration, and mental clarity. In Lyme disease, this is sometimes called Lyme encephalopathy, while in Long COVID, it’s a widely recognized neurological symptom.
3. Musculoskeletal Pain: Persistent joint and muscle pain are common in both. Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia bacteria, often leads to migratory joint pain or arthritis, while Long COVID patients report myalgia and arthralgia, often without clear inflammation. 4. Neurological Symptoms: Both can involve neurological issues such as headaches, dizziness, and nerve pain (neuropathy). Lyme disease may cause Bell’s palsy or radiculopathy, while Long COVID can lead to similar neuropathic symptoms or autonomic dysfunction like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
5. Autonomic Dysfunction: Both conditions can disrupt the autonomic nervous system, leading to symptoms like heart rate irregularities, blood pressure fluctuations, or intolerance to standing (orthostatic intolerance). POTS is increasingly noted in both Long COVID and chronic Lyme patients. 6. Multisystem Involvement: Both affect multiple organ systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Lyme disease can lead to carditis or meningitis in severe cases, while Long COVID may involve cardiovascular complications or persistent respiratory issues. 7. Immune Dysregulation: Both conditions are associated with immune system abnormalities. Lyme disease may trigger autoimmunity or persistent immune activation, while Long COVID is hypothesized to involve immune dysregulation, possibly due to lingering viral components or autoantibodies.
Overview of the ACIP Meeting on September 18-19, 2025
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held its virtual meeting on September 18-19, 2025, focusing on updates to vaccine recommendations, particularly those affecting pediatric and adult immunization schedules. The committee, recently reconstituted under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reviewed evidence on measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccines, hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccines, and 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine implementation. Votes occurred primarily on Day 1 (September 18), with some deferred to Day 2. Discussions highlighted tensions between evidence-based safety data from CDC experts and skepticism from some ACIP members, leading to notable disarray, including confusion over vote wording and rationales.
The outcomes primarily impact pediatric vaccine schedules, emphasizing shared clinical decision-making (individualized risk-benefit discussions) over universal recommendations. No major changes were finalized for adult schedules on Day 1, though COVID-19 discussions continued. These recommendations, if adopted by the CDC Director, influence insurance coverage (e.g., no-cost sharing under the Affordable Care Act), Vaccines for Children (VFC) program eligibility, and pharmacy administration authority. However, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) stated that all ACIP-recommended immunizations as of September 1, 2025, will remain covered without changes, potentially buffering immediate access disruptions. Some states have also signaled they may not follow revised ACIP guidance.
Key Outcomes on Vaccine Schedules 1. MMRV Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella)
• Background: The combined MMRV vaccine (e.g., ProQuad) is currently recommended as an option for the first dose at 12-47 months to reduce injections, but ACIP has long advised separate MMR and varicella vaccines for the first dose due to a slightly elevated risk of febrile seizures (temporary, non-life-threatening events peaking at 14-18 months). Evidence presented showed the risk is about 1 extra seizure per 2,300-3,000 doses, with no long-term harm.
• Vote Outcome (September 18): ACIP voted to withdraw the recommendation for MMRV as the first dose in children under 2 years, mandating separate MMR and varicella vaccines instead. This passed by majority vote (exact tally not specified in real-time reports, but described as clear).
Everyone keeps talking about developing an app for #LongCovid & I would hate for anyone to recreate the wheel. Are you looking to track symptoms, recovery, treatment, exercise, vitals, pacing, sleep (or lack of), diet and/or sleep? Maybe a few of these designers could collaborate. 🤷♀️
I currently track my data/stats with 𝙐𝙣𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙚, 𝙈𝙮𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙨, 𝙎𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙨, CDC Surveys (and bloodwork) & don 2 wearable devices. I love contributing to Science. 😃
I've compiled a list of the top 20 apps used by #LongCovid patients in hopes we might encourage collaboration or select all of the best features and/or formats to create THE all-encompassing interactive app/database for our community, our caregivers & doctors in realtime.
Which apps do you find helpful?
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• Visible: A pacing and symptom-tracking app tailored for Long COVID and ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome). It uses smartphone camera-based heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, symptom logging, and activity data to help users avoid overexertion (post-exertional malaise). Features include daily “pace scores,” trend analysis, breathing exercises, and optional integration with wearables for all-day monitoring. It emphasizes rest over fitness, with reports for sharing with doctors. Available on iOS and Android; free basic version, premium subscription for advanced features.
2/
• Long COVID Companion: A voice-based app from the Luxembourg Institute of Health for people with Long COVID. It acts as a daily companion to track symptoms, treatments, progress, quality of life, & health metrics over time. Users can log data verbally for ease, with features for pattern recognition and sharing with clinicians. Free on iOS & Android.
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**COVID-19 can induce lupus**
🔬🩺🧬🩸🧪🩹💉🩻🦠💊🌡
(systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE) through several immune system mechanisms, especially in genetically predisposed individuals:
**Immune System Hyperactivation:**
COVID-19 triggers a strong immune response. The virus can cause excessive activation of B-cells (antibody-producing cells) and promote overproduction of interferons, both of which are implicated in lupus pathogenesis. This abnormal activation may lead to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy body tissues—a hallmark of lupus.
1/
**Production of Autoantibodies:**
COVID-19 has been found to stimulate the immune system in a way that leads to the formation of autoantibodies (antibodies that target the body’s own proteins. Autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibodies & lupus anticoagulant are commonly associated with lupus & have been detected in some COVID-19 patients.
2/
**Triggering Disease in Susceptible Hosts:**
Environmental factors like viral infections—including SARS-CoV-2—have long been recognized as possible triggers for new-onset lupus & lupus flare-ups, particularly in people with a genetic predisposition. Wooohoo 😣
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For ongoing long COVID patients, the top three reasons to consider a PET scan are:
1.Detecting Hidden Inflammation and Organ Damage
PET scans, especially when combined with MRI (PET/MRI), can reveal persistent inflammation in the heart, lungs, and other organs—even when standard tests appear normal. This helps identify patients at risk for future cardiopulmonary complications such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or valvular disease.
Identifying Brain and Nervous System Involvement
PET scans (such as brain FDG-PET) can uncover hypometabolism or inflammation in the brain, which may explain cognitive, neurological, or autonomic symptoms in long COVID patients. This is particularly valuable for distinguishing long COVID from other neurological or psychiatric disorders.
Tracking Viral Persistence and Immune Activation
Specialized PET imaging agents can help detect viral reservoirs and ongoing immune activation in deep tissues, such as the gut or brainstem. This approach may clarify the underlying cause of persistent symptoms and guide personalized treatment strategies.
These reasons highlight how PET imaging can provide objective evidence of ongoing disease processes, support early intervention, and help tailor management for long COVID patients.