Details of new evidence Long-term effects of infection

Until 60% of patients With SARS-CoV-2, there is a loss of odor and taste (note that taste perception is significantly affected by the loss of odor). Many people attribute this symptom to stuffy nose or damage to nerve receptors in the nose.However, data from recent studies published in the journal Nature This symptom is caused by the spread of infection to the sensory cortex of the brain, which supports the more chilling prospect that the virus can spread to other structures and cause memory and cognitive impairment.

newly Published peer-reviewed studies Changes in brain scan images of SARS-CoV-2 patients were recorded by Gwemaëlla Douaund et al. Some of the most prominent findings were “tissue damage in areas functionally connected to the primary sensory cortex,” along with a decrease in gray matter thickness in the orbitofrontal cortex and a decrease in brain size. The orbitofrontal cortex is extensively associated with the structure of the sensory cortex and limbic system, which are involved in memory and emotion. Although the injuries were more widespread in the 15 hospitalized patients, even with their exclusion, SARS-CoV-2 positive patients still had significant cognitive decline. The lasting clinical effects of these changes are unknown, but some are concerned that they may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The authors state that these changes represent a statistical mean, “not all infected participants exhibit longitudinal abnormalities in the brain.”

Many articles have been written about the devastating lung effects of COVID-19.But Long-term impact Problems with the heart and central nervous system (CNS) are serious. In the early days of the pandemic, case reports of brain fog and poor concentration began to surface frequently, a common symptom in patients suffering from long COVIDs. Overall, 10-30% of patients Develop a long COVID with COVID-19.

The frequency of CNS and cognitive symptoms has been reported by many authors using various design of experiments and studies.

One of the first clinical studies on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain was in July 2020. Ross Patterson and others Researchers surveyed 43 patients with COVID-19 (“29 are clear with SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive, 8 are possible, 6 are possible”), and 12 are inflamed. I found sex CNS syndrome. It is associated with a wide range of neurological syndromes that affect the entire neural axis. “

February 2021, Jennifer Logue, et al.. We observed that 30% of 177 patients could have COVID-19 symptoms for up to 9 months. In addition, 85% of patients were mild outpatients. The most common symptom was fatigue, which was reported in 13.6% (24/177) of all patients and brain fog in 2.3% (4/177) of all patients.

June 2021, Bjorn Bromberg and others.. , COVID-19 reported long-term sequelae in 61 home-isolated patients. At 6 months, 52% had persistent symptoms (32/61), 13% (8/61) reported poor concentration, and 11% (7/61) reported memory loss. Did.

July 2021, Jennifer Frontera and others.. We have reported the results of an online survey of self-reported patients with COVID-19. Long COVID-19 was defined as a symptom that lasted more than a month after the initial diagnosis. The results of the NIH / NINDS PROMIS quality of life survey in neurological disorders were analyzed from 999 respondents. A total of 76 people (7.6%) reported being infected with COVID-19. Researchers found that 25% of COVID-19 patients had long-term symptoms, and that cognitive dysfunction in nervous quality of life was more than 11 times more common in the COVID-19-positive group. Of the 19 patients with long COVIDs, 42% reported experiencing “brain fog.”

Also, in July 2021, Hannah Jeter and othersWe studied 3762 patients with COVID-19 symptoms that lasted more than 28 days. The authors reported that 85% (3203) of respondents experienced “brain fog and cognitive dysfunction such as diminished attention, executive function, problem solving, and decision making.” In addition, 72% experienced memory impairment.

Over time, the dangers of long COVIDs and the prevention of failures are becoming apparent. Severe COVID-19 as a prevention of hospitalization and a primary goal is no longer accepted. You also need to prevent long-term lung, heart, and central nervous system disorders. A peer-reviewed study by Gwemaëlla Douaund et al. Supports the conclusion that the “brain fog” reported by many who have recovered from mild infections is real and anatomical.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t seem to be over.UK SARS-CoV-2 cases have recently begun to rise, with a 7-day hospitalization rate in the UK. 13.1% increase From the previous week (shape).. The United States has almost declared victory and has followed the UK example by rapidly easing public health strategies, including masking. The BA.2 (stealth) variant is more infectious than Omicron (BA.1) and has devastated Denmark and Hong Kong. This variant is also increasing in our country. The discovery that a more careful approach to mitigation of mitigation strategies may be needed, coupled with growing concerns about the long-term effects of COVID.