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Influenza can also lead to long-term damage

Influenza can also lead to long-term damage

,   and  ASMedia
2 min read
Influenza can also lead to long-term damage
Influenza can also lead to long-term damage

Influenza and its Long-Term Impact

After surviving the flu, individuals might face long-term health implications, much like those affected by Long Covid and Covid-19. A team of researchers from the US has identified the possible long-term complications, organs specifically affected, and the importance of recognizing viral infections as a leading cause of chronic diseases.

Similarities Between Long Covid and Long Flu

Both Covid-19 and influenza can result in persistent health issues, going beyond the initial 30 days of infection. Researchers from the US have corroborated that, similar to long Covid, the long-term health impact of the flu can lead to organ damage and chronic conditions.

The Study: Assessing Long-Term Health Risk

In a recent publication in "The Lancet Infectious Diseases", researchers analyzed 81,280 hospitalized Covid-19 patients from March 2020 to June 2022 and compared their health status with 10,985 flu patients hospitalized between October 2015 and February 2019. Over the 18-month period, the risk of serious health problems was higher in Covid-19 patients (51% higher risk of death, to be exact).

Primary Organ Systems Affected

The researchers observed humans with both viruses displayed higher health risks in nine of the ten primary organ systems. The only exception was the lungs, in which flu patients faced a greater risk of adverse health consequences.

Viral Infections as the Cause of Chronic Diseases

The study emphasizes that persisting health problems related to the flu and Covid-19 should be recognized as part of viral infections causing chronic diseases. It highlights the importance of understanding the long-term impact of viral infections, which can lead to chronic problems with multiple organ systems and chronic conditions.

Vaccination for Mitigating the Risk

Optimizing vaccination coverage remains crucial in preventing severe disease progression and reducing the risk of hospitalization, death, and impaired quality of life while focusing on vulnerable populations like the elderly and individuals with low immune systems.

Sources:

  1. Ziyad Al-Aly, Marwan Khuu and Eric J. Topol. (2023). "Long-term adverse outcomes after COVID-19 hospitalization versus influenza, 2015-20, in patients from the United States". The Lancet Infectious Diseases, ISSN 1473-3099, PMC ID PMC 11355305, DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00128-9.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). COVID-19 and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). Retrieved from .
  3. Al-Aly, Ziyad, et al. (2022). "Long-term Mortality and Organ Failure Following Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection Compared with Flu or Respiratory Syncytial Virus in US Adults". Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.24320.
  4. Al-Aly, Ziyad, et al. (2022). "Mortality and Organ Failure Following Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection Compared With Flu or Respiratory Syncytial Virus in US Adults". Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.2191.

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