Title: Long-term Impact of Infections: Flu and COVID-19
Just like COVID-19, a flu infection can also have serious long-term consequences for hospital patients, as US researchers revealed in the journal "The Lancet Infectious Diseases." They tracked and compared the health progression of patients hospitalized due to coronavirus or flu for a stretch of 18 months.
According to the research led by Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the risk of serious health issues was lower in the initial phase (up to 30 days post-infection) for both coronavirus and flu. However, the risk of long-term complications was, on average, higher for patients who had contracted COVID-19.
Al-Aly and his team referred to the long-term effects of flu as "long flu," borrowing the term "long Covid" that has gained popularity in Germany for the lingering effects of COVID-19. The new study did not focus on the frequency of long Covid or long flu but highlighted the necessity for future research in this area.
The researchers examined cases of 81,280 COVID-19 patients hospitalized between March 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, and compared their health progression with the cases of 10,985 flu patients hospitalized between October 1, 2015, and February 28, 2019.
Over the 18-month period, COVID-19 patients had a 51% higher risk of death compared to flu patients (28.46 per 100 people versus 19.84 per 100 people).
Vaccination as a Preventive Measure
Al-Aly underlined the importance of understanding that viral infections like COVID-19 and influenza are not solely acute illnesses. They can have lasting impacts on human health. Medical professionals need to be more aware of this fact.
For both COVID-19 and seasonal flu, vaccination can potentially help prevent severe disease progression and the risk of hospitalization and death, Al-Aly explained. "Optimizing vaccination coverage remains a priority for governments and healthcare systems around the world, especially for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with weakened immune systems," he suggested.
Additional Insights:
Both influenza and COVID-19 can lead to significant long-term consequences, including cognitive impairments and secondary infections. The most severe consequence of the flu is the risk of secondary bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and sepsis. Vaccination is one of the best defenses against severe illness and its potential cognitive consequences. By preventing severe illness, vaccination reduces the likelihood of developing cognitive complications associated with the viruses.
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Enrichment Data:
- Cognitive Impairments:
- Flu Brain: Influenza can lead to cognitive impairments, known as "flu brain," which include symptoms like brain fog, memory difficulties, and sluggishness. These issues arise from the body's immune response and can persist for months in some cases.
- Neurological Complications: Severe cases of the flu can result in long-term neurological complications, such as persistent headaches, cognitive decline, mood changes, and increased risk of developing conditions like dementia or stroke.
- Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy (IAE): Rarely, the flu virus can infiltrate the brain, causing severe inflammation and potentially life-threatening conditions like IAE, which can lead to long-term cognitive impairments.
- Secondary Infections:
- The most severe consequence of the flu is the risk of secondary bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and sepsis. These infections are associated with high mortality, particularly among young children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses.
- Long-term Consequences of COVID-19:
- Post-COVID Syndrome: Many patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the ICU still suffer from post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) even after one year. Symptoms include fatigue/malaise, upper respiratory tract symptoms, myalgia, muscle weakness, decreased concentration, sleep disorders, brain fog, and dizziness.
- Impact of Vaccinations:
- Influenza Vaccination: Vaccination is one of the best defenses against severe illness and its potential cognitive consequences. The flu vaccine significantly reduces the risk of severe flu infections, thereby lowering the likelihood of developing cognitive complications associated with the virus.
- COVID-19 Vaccination: Vaccination against COVID-19 has been shown to reduce the severity and risk of long-term complications associated with the disease. Vaccination reduces hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, thereby reducing the risk of long-term complications.
