1/ New analysis reveals a stark reality: 1 in 5 COVID-19 survivors still battle symptoms 3 years after severe infection. This meta-analysis of 11 studies highlights the profound, lasting effects on health and quality of life. #LongCovid #PostCovid
2/ The most common persistent symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances, and shortness of breath. These aren't just minor annoyances; they significantly impact daily living and long-term well-being. #ChronicIllness #HealthCrisis
3/ This research, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, evaluated data from over 142,000 patients across Europe, Asia, and Australia, predominantly focusing on those hospitalized in 2020. The numbers are sobering. #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth
4/ Beyond daily symptoms, the analysis found an increased risk of death at 3 years for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Long COVID also contributed significantly to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), showcasing a massive societal burden. #MortalityRisk #Disability
5/ Neurological, pulmonary, and cardiovascular issues were the most common long-term physiological clusters. Memory impairment, heart failure, and reduced lung function persist for many, underscoring the systemic nature of the disease. #Neurological #Pulmonary #Cardiovascular
6/ Risk factors for persistent symptoms include older age, severe infection, hospitalization, and underlying health conditions. This emphasizes that COVID-19 is not "just a flu" for a significant portion of the population. #RiskFactors #COVID19
7/ A critical missing piece? Data on how many Long COVID patients have been able to return to their original jobs after 3 years. This gap highlights the urgent need for more comprehensive research into the socioeconomic impact. #ReturnToWork #SocietalImpact
8/ The findings underscore the necessity of interdisciplinary care teams and integrating Long COVID management into routine healthcare. Public health campaigns are crucial to raise awareness and reduce stigma. #HealthcarePolicy #PatientCare
9/ Given the severe, long-term consequences, preventing infection and reducing viral exposure remains paramount. This means focusing on both environmental controls and personal protective measures. #PreventionIsKey #ViralProtection
10/ One vital step? Cleaning the air we breathe. Investing in air purification systems, especially with HEPA filters, can significantly reduce airborne viral particles in indoor spaces. Let's make clean air a priority! #AirPurifiers #IndoorAirQuality
11/ And for personal protection, especially in higher-risk environments, high-quality masks like N95s (or equivalent KN95/FFP2/3) are indispensable. They provide superior filtration, greatly reducing inhalation of airborne viruses. #N95Masks #MaskUp
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The evidence is clear: Long COVID is a significant and lasting health challenge. By embracing comprehensive care for survivors AND proactive prevention measures like air purification and N95 masking, we can better protect ourselves and our communities. #CleanAirNow
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H/T @scott_squires for his amazing poster collection!
1/ New research reveals a concerning link: prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure might impact a baby's brain development. This isn't just about acute illness; it's about potential long-term effects on cognitive, communication, & motor skills. #COVID19 #ChildDevelopment #PublicHealth
2/ The study looked at babies whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy. At 6 months, many showed delays. By 24 months, those delays were even more common: nearly 65% had communication delays, and over 57% had motor delays! This is serious. #PediatricHealth #LongCOVID
3/ What's the connection? Researchers found that specific immune markers (cytokines and chemokines) in cord blood at birth were linked to these developmental delays. Things like IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-1β, and CXCL10. These could be early warning signs. #Biomarkers
1/ 🚨 New research from Karolinska Institutet reveals a stark truth: newborns facing severe health issues in their first weeks (respiratory distress, infections, neurological impact) have a significantly higher risk of mortality throughout childhood & adolescence. #ChildHealth
2/ The risk is highest in the first year but persists later in life. Children with neurological problems appear particularly vulnerable. This underscores the critical need for regular medical follow-ups & comprehensive support for these families. #PediatricCare #PublicHealth
3/ Separately, new findings highlight another crucial aspect of maternal & infant health: COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can elevate the risk of preterm birth. Preterm birth itself can lead to various health challenges for the newborn. #PregnancyCare #COVID19
1/ 5½ years since the first COVID-19 case in Sweden, and the long-term battle continues. Meet Victoria, 21, who was once an athlete training 20 hours a week. Now, almost four years after her infection, she lives with debilitating daily headaches due to #LongCOVID. #Sweden
2/Victoria's story is heartbreakingly common. "I don't know what it feels like to have a day without a headache," she says, unable to do the things she loves. She also shares the immense challenge of getting her symptoms recognized and received #InvisibleIllness #HealthcareCrisis
3/ adequate care from the healthcare system.
The scale of this crisis is staggering. At least 300'000 Swedes live with severe, long-term symptoms after a COVID-19 infection. Crucially, the Swedish COVID Association estimates
#PublicHealt
1/ We spend fortunes ensuring our drinking water is pristine – consuming maybe 2-3 liters daily. And rightly so! But what about the 11,000 liters of air we breathe every single day? #CleanAirNow #PublicHealth
2/ Think about it: We wouldn't tolerate dirty tap water. Yet, we often overlook the unseen quality of the air in our public spaces. This oversight has real health and economic consequences. #AirQuality #InvisibleThreat
3/ Investing in clean indoor air isn't a luxury; it's a fundamental public health necessity. From schools to workplaces, better ventilation & filtration protect us all from airborne pathogens & pollutants. #HealthyBuildings #IndoorAirQuality
1/ New research breakthrough! An international team, including Karolinska Institutet, has identified a gene variant that increases the risk of #LongCOVID by approx. 60%. This is a crucial step towards understanding the biological roots of this debilitating condition.
#Genetics
2/ This variant is located near the FOXP4 gene, known to influence lung function. This finding suggests that lung health plays a significant role in who develops #LongCOVID symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and breathing difficulties long after acute infection.
#MedicalResearch
3/ The study analyzed genetic data from 6,450 #LongCOVID patients and over 1 million control individuals across 24 studies & 16 countries, with findings validated in an independent cohort. Genetic insights are vital for conditions with unknown mechanisms!
#COVIDisAirborne
1/Dr. Lisa Norén, a physician in Sweden, has been battling #LongCOVID for three years. Her story is a stark reminder: we can't ignore this growing public health crisis. As both a doctor and a patient, she's seen the gaps in care firsthand. It's time for urgent action. #PostCovid
2/ Three years ago, Lisa contracted acute COVID. What started as curiosity about an "unexplored territory" quickly turned into a relentless battle with debilitating symptoms. Her medical background allowed her to observe, measure, and deeply research her own condition. #LongCovid
3/ Before LongC19, Lisa led an active life: working full-time, running marathons, playing ice hockey. Now, even simple tasks like walking up stairs, grating cheese, or applauding can trigger severe breathlessness and chest pain. Her life has drastically changed. #InvisibleIllness