1/ It's clear: Long COVID is significantly impacting children. A new study from the University of Otago reveals over a fifth of kids and teens suffer persistent symptoms after COVID-19. This isn't just a cough; it's headaches, fatigue, and new anxieties. #LongCovidKids
2/ The study, published in the International Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, surveyed 4200+ children aged 3-20. More than 70% had confirmed COVID-19. A quarter reported more frequent coughs, colds, and stomach aches post-infection. #COVID19 #PublicHealth
3/ Persistent symptoms found in the study include:
Headaches (21.7%)
Fatigue (20.6%)
Stomach pain (14.6%)
New anxiety (13.1%)
These symptoms affect daily activities & school attendance. It's crucial we acknowledge this. #ChildrensHealth #PostCovid
4/ Before widespread COVID-19, 82.6% of children rated their health as "very good" or "excellent." After Omicron waves, this dropped to 66.9%. Kids who had COVID-19 were significantly more likely to rate their health as "acceptable" or "poor." #HealthDisparities
5/ Even previously healthy children are reporting new difficulties, from persistent coughs to concentration issues. While those with existing conditions like asthma or ADHD are at higher risk, many others are also affected. #PediatricCOVID #ChronicIllness
6/ Associate Professor Julie Bennett stresses: "Reducing infections is key to preventing Long COVID." Simple steps like opening windows for better ventilation in classrooms, workplaces, and homes can make a huge difference. #PreventionIsKey #Ventilation
7/ Larisa Hockey from Long COVID Kids New Zealand adds: "There is strong evidence that infection prevention is key to preventing Long COVID. Children deserve every opportunity to grow up healthy and thrive." Let's protect our kids! #ProtectOurKids #ChildhoodIllness
8/ If a child gets COVID, ensure they rest during and after the infection to prevent post-viral complications like Long COVID. Their long-term health depends on it. #RestAndRecovery #LongCovidAwareness
H/T @scott_squires for íposter collection.
H/T @lady_bourg proof reading
1/ Following the thread on the cumulative risk of Long COVID in children after reinfection, let's look at a new study on vaccination and adults. The evidence is overwhelmingly clear: vaccination is protective. #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
2/ A massive Swedish nationwide study (Sahlgrenska Academy, European Heart Journal) of over 8 million adults confirms that full COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe cardiovascular conditions linked to the infection.
3/ 📉 VACCINES REDUCE SEVERE RISKS:
After full vaccination (especially the 3rd dose), the risk of severe cardiovascular events—including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure—was generally 20-30% lower compared to the unvaccinated.
1/ 🚨 The Double-Edged Sword: New research suggests #SARSCoV2 might be an unseen accelerant for #LungCancer. Beyond acute illness, the virus's long-term effects could fuel cancer development and progression. This is a critical public health warning. 👇 #COVID19 #Oncology
2/ The study highlights several terrifying potential mechanisms:
Chronic Inflammation: The cytokine storm and persistent, dysregulated inflammation after COVID are well-known cancer promoters.
3/ ACE2 Receptor: SARS-CoV-2 binding disrupts the protective RAS pathway, potentially contributing to cancer progression.
Dormant Cells: Respiratory infections like COVID-19 can even wake up dormant cancer cells (DCCs) in the lungs, triggering metastasis.
1/ Marie Ewerz is 49. She got COVID in 2021 and has not been well since. Her symptoms are getting worse. 💔 Thousands in Sweden still suffer from a condition—Long COVID—that remains largely misunderstood, years after the first cases. Marie says: "You feel so alone."
@SwedishPM
2/ The illness has fundamentally changed her family life. At 9, her son first found her passed out on the kitchen floor. "He's been terrified and barely dared to leave me," Marie shares. Now 13, his worry meant he’s had to grow up too fast.
@Folkhalsomynd @jakobforssmed
1/ A new study on #LongCovid in children shows worrying results. Researchers found a strong link between persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms (like headaches, dizziness, and memory issues) and changes in brain volume, specifically in the temporal and subcortical regions.
2/ The study published in Pediatric Neurology found that children with more severe symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19 were more likely to have significant brain volume changes months later. This suggests that the initial severity of symptoms can predict long-term effects
3/ Additionally, the research highlights that visual perception is also affected. Children with visual symptoms had lower scores on perceptual skills tests, pointing to potential underlying issues with how the brain processes visual information.
1/ A new Swedish study from the Public Health Agency suggests that for healthy, low-risk seniors and young adults in risk groups, the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination is low. According to the study, the benefit is limited from a socioeconomic perspective.
@SwedishPM
2/ The study states that the most significant benefits are for seniors in high-risk groups, those with home care, or living in nursing homes. For these groups, the vaccine is even cost-saving for society.
@SwedishPM @Folkhalsomynd @jakobforssmed
3/ But here’s my problem with this analysis. It focuses heavily on direct costs and hospitalizations (QALYs), largely ignoring the significant long-term effects of COVID-19, like Long COVID. This is a massive blind spot!
@dagensnyheter @svtnyheter @SvD @Expressen @DagensMedia
1/ A disturbing study from late 2020 revealed something we should all be paying attention to: virtually all children infected with COVID-19 showed signs of blood vessel damage. #COVID19 #PublicHealth
2/ This was seen even in asymptomatic kids. The study from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found a "high proportion" showed elevated levels of a biomarker tied to blood vessel damage.
3/ Additionally, many children were diagnosed with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), which leads to clots in small blood vessels. This is a condition linked to severe COVID in adults.