Have you been suffering from a cold for several weeks that just won't go away? Science has the explanation for what is happening to you.. A new study published in EClinicalMedicine, one of the publications of The Lancet group, shows that some people may suffer from 'persistent colds', a prolongation of the usual cold symptoms, such as cough, stomach pain or diarrhea.

The work, developed by scientists at Queen Mary University of London, suggests that acute respiratory infections not related to Covid, such as colds or flu, can also cause long-lasting symptoms, lasting more than four weeks after the initial infection.

However, scientists have not been able to determine whether these long-lasting symptoms could be of the same severity or duration as those associated with long Covid, a problem that affects many people after the arrival of SARS-CoV-2..

The research compared the prevalence and severity of long-term symptoms after an episode of Covid versus episodes of another acute respiratory infection that tested negative for the coronavirus.. According to the work data, persistence of symptoms occurred in both groups, although individuals who recovered from Covid were more likely to experience lightheadedness or dizziness and problems with taste and smell compared to those who had an infection. respiratory not related to Covid.

“The study corroborates previous findings according to which long-term symptoms are common after respiratory infections in general, not only after covid-19. However, Covid-19 infection was associated with an increased risk of several conditions, including memory problems, suggesting that 'brain fog' may be particularly related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” he said. noted, in statements to Science Media Center (SMC) Paul Harrison, professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom).

“One of the strengths of the study is its prospective nature, based on the UK population. A weak point is the relatively small number of cases of infection other than Covid-19,” he added..

For his part, David Strain, senior clinical professor and honorary consultant at the University of Exeter (United Kingdom), also told SMC that the prospective review is “very well done.”.

“They have shown that, at least in the short term, the persistence of symptoms can be worrying not only after Covid-19, but also after many other infections”.

Strain clarified that “although this is the first prospective study on this topic, it is not a new phenomenon”. In fact, he emphasizes, “the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-1920 left many people with lethargic encephalitis that took decades to resolve (this was the subject of Oliver Sacks' book Awakenings or, depending on the audience, from the film by Robert De Niro and Robin Williams)”.

“The concept of post-viral disease is also well established. Today in the UK, approximately 280,000 people suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)), many of whom claim that the trigger was a fairly benign initial viral illness.”.

The scientist highlights that “a limitation of this study is that it only analyzes the symptoms at a single moment.”. While participants in the COVIDENCE trial report symptoms lasting more than three months and up to two years, many ME/CFS sufferers have experienced their symptoms for decades. Lacking an understanding of the mechanisms or diagnostic testing, they have faced unprecedented stigma from society.. Hopefully the legacy of the current healthcare system will not be to leave these young and previously fit people behind. This study will highlight the urgent need for further research into post-viral syndromes, risk factors and therefore pathways to mitigate them, diagnostic tests and potential treatments to help the more than quarter of a million people in the UK and millions around the world who suffer from this terrible disease.