The term 'Long Covid' was coined in May 2020 but the virus became a pandemic before the most common post-viral condition - (ME/CFS) - was taken seriously.
So what do we know now about it? Dr Anna Brooks explores Long Covid in a talk for Auckland University's Raising the Bar 2022.
Photo: Vinay Ranchhod
The global Covid-19 pandemic has changed life as we once knew it, creating wave upon wave of disruptions and uncertainty.
A pandemic-scale, highly contagious virus has not been experienced in our lifetimes. And one of the most significant discoveries has been the effect on those who have suffered from Long Covid.
The notion that viruses can cause debilitating post-infectious conditions is not new.
Following the realisation that many people were not recovering from their SARS-CoV-2 infection, the term 'Long Covid' was coined in May 2020.
The call for further research was patient-led as it seemed to the sufferers that no one in the medical establishment was listening.
Those who did understand were the millions worldwide already living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) – the most common, yet still poorly understood, post-viral condition.
It has taken a pandemic-scale virus for many to finally take a largely neglected area of research and medicine seriously.
There is still much we don’t understand about how viruses affect our long-term health – so what has this pandemic taught us that desperately needs attention?
Dr Anna Brooks talks through the state of current knowledge, and uncovers many areas which need further research.
Further listening and reading:
Long Covid researcher sceptical of study suggesting Omicron causes less disease
Long Covid: Experts warn against exercising too soon after virus
Long Covid must be taken seriously as Omicron dominates - experts
Warnings about Long Covid
Dr Anna Brooks
Photo: University of Auckland
Dr Anna Brooks is a cellular immunologist, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Auckland Cytometry lab. She has a broad background in human immunology, with specific training and expertise in advanced cell characterisation using leading-edge cell analysis technologies (spectral flow cytometry).
Anna’s research focuses on characterising immune cell populations in the blood following various immune responses such as viral infections, vaccinations or treatments. Her primary research interest lies in understanding the immune dysfunction associated with Long Covid and the relationship to or comparison with other post-viral illnesses such as ME/CFS.
This session was broadcast in association with the University of Auckland’s Raising the Bar night, held in August 2022
Photo: University of Auckland
