Heartland Magazine: Researchers and Experts Continue to Seek Answers for Long COVID
As the world grapples with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are still hard at work trying to understand the causes of long COVID and develop effective treatments. Nearly four years after the emergence of the virus, the latest data from the Census Bureau reveals that nearly one in four adults who contracted COVID-19 have developed long COVID symptoms.
Long COVID, which refers to symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the initial infection has resolved, is more common in individuals who experienced severe COVID-19 symptoms. Women, older adults, individuals with underlying health conditions, and those who did not receive the vaccine are also at higher risk of developing long COVID.
States like Oklahoma and Montana have reported the highest percentages of adults experiencing long COVID symptoms lasting longer than three months. Alarmingly, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama have some of the lowest rates of booster vaccines in the country, with at least a quarter of adults in these states reporting long COVID symptoms after being infected.
Experts have emphasized the importance of receiving updated booster shots, as only 17% of the U.S. population had received one as of May 2023. Boosters have been shown to reduce the risk of long COVID, which can encompass a range of symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues, heart palpitations, and loss of smell or taste.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health also found that long COVID can manifest as chronic cough, chest pain, abnormal movements, and issues with sexual desire. With ongoing research and a focus on increasing booster rates, researchers and experts continue to seek answers for those struggling with the long-term effects of the virus.
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