Long COVID symptoms in the family one year after SARS-CoV-2 infection or home exposure

Scientists say that children and adolescents are usually asymptomatic for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It reports that it is sexually, mildly, or moderately infected. Therefore, these groups are considered to have a low risk of developing an acute COVID-19 infection.

Background

Recently, terms such as “post-COVID syndrome,” “long COVID,” and “acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)” have been used to describe the persistence or appearance of various symptoms, from fatigue to specific symptoms. Frequently used. Organ dysfunction long after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most studies define long COVID as a condition in which adults infected with COVID-19 show symptoms 3 to 6 months after acute illness.

The pandemic has reduced social interactions due to travel restrictions and the closure of schools and nurseries. Scientists have shown that limited interactions have a significant impact on children and adolescents. They observed an increased prevalence of nonspecific and psychological symptoms in children and adolescents who had never been infected with COVID-19 infection. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between the symptoms of long COVIDs and the general consequences of a pandemic.

There is not much evidence available regarding the possible longevity COVID symptoms With children and adolescents. Long-term COVID-related studies are primarily related to individual-level risk factors and do not consider the dynamics of disease within the family. Previous studies have reported that the development of various childhood symptoms, such as chronic pain and malaise, is associated with parental symptoms, stress, and / or parenting behavior. As a result, scientists believe that families can also play a role in long-term COVID symptomology.

New research

New research posted on Lancet preprint* We analyzed the symptoms up to 1 year after acute COVID-19 infection. The researchers performed a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and serological analysis in a family who participated in another study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a family with children. As mentioned above, family status can be significantly associated with long COVID prevalence. Scientists used this study cohort to determine that the prevalence of reported symptoms was associated with reported symptoms among families.

The survey consisted of 1267 members from 341 households, including 404 children over the age of 14, 140 adolescents (ages 14-18), and 723 adults. The authors categorized these candidates based on the serological assay and the history of infection confirmed in the laboratory. They were divided into two groups. Participants who were directly infected with SARS-CoV-2 and those who were indirectly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 through infected household members.

Main survey results

Scientists have unveiled the status of families with long-term symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the findings show that infected adults have worse health outcomes such as fatigue and a series of persistent physical and psychological consequences. Symptoms compared to exposed adults were consistent with previous reports showing that they were more likely to experience.

Interestingly, negative results were relatively common among exposed uninfected adults and persisted for approximately 1 year after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 patients. However, exposed adults revealed a negative SARS-CoV-2 serological assay. These results indicate the prevalence of non-specific symptoms in household members infected with COVID-19.

Researchers have observed that the prevalence of moderate to severe symptoms persists after one year of infection in men, women, and adolescent girls. They reported that people with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections were more likely to develop long-term COVIDs than people with asymptomatic infections. Two common long COVID symptoms were acute diarrhea and dysgeusia.

Scientists have reported that women, compared to men, are more likely to develop persistent symptoms such as moderate or severe fatigue, sleep disorders, and poor physical resilience. However, both genders experienced moderate or severe dysgeusia / olfactory dysfunction as long-term COVID symptoms. Interestingly, gender differences were also present in the exposed controls, with 14.2% of exposed women and 10.3% of exposed men reporting at least one moderate or severe sign.

Adolescent girls were more likely to develop COVID longer than adolescent boys, so more research is needed to elucidate risk factors and treatment strategies. Another important finding in this study was the number of moderate or severe persistent symptoms (both exposed and infected individuals) and the number of moderate or severe persistent symptoms in other household members. Was to determine the correlation of. There are many plausible explanations for this correlation, including shared genetic factors.

Conclusion

One of the main strengths of this study is the study cohort, which includes individuals with mild or asymptomatic disease. In short, it is a good representation of most SARS-CoV-2 infections. Another important aspect is that both the infected and exposed groups belonged to the same family. This has enabled excellent agreement on socio-demographic and environmental factors.

One of the key limitations of this study is the small sample size, especially the adolescent group. However, the results of this study are consistent with a recent meta-analysis showing that long-term symptoms are prevalent in both infected and exposed children. The authors of this study stated that more studies are needed to understand family-level mechanisms and interventions in long COVIDs.

*Important Notices

The Lancet preprints publish unpeer-reviewed preliminary scientific reports that are considered definitive, guide clinical / health-related behaviors, and are treated as established information. Should not be.