mcmaster university study examines covid recovery times
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most people infected with the sars-cov-2 virus recover within a year, a new study by mcmaster university has found.
while 75% recovered in 12 months after becoming ill with the virus, 25% of patients still had symptoms of coughing, fatigue and breathlessness.
researchers say patients with persistent symptoms had antibodies associated with autoimmune illnesses.
the study looked at 106 people recovering from covid-19 infections at three, six and 12 months after contracting the virus.
all patients were healthy and had no pre-existing autoimmune conditions or any other underlying diseases before the pandemic.
“generally, one should not worry if they are feeling unwell right after their infection, as the chances of recovering within 12 months is very high, and just because you have typical long covid symptoms at three months does not mean they will stay forever,” said senior author manali mukherjee, assistant professor of medicine at mcmaster.
“however, the study highlights that at 12 months, if you still feel unwell and the symptoms are persisting or worsening, you should definitely seek medical attention.”
mukherjee said patients with long covid symptoms should see a rheumatologist who specializes in autoimmune disorders.
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she says most patients with long covid are currently assessed by respirologists or infectious disease specialists, that don’t specialize in autoimmunity.
mukherjee said that of the patients who recovered, a reduction in autoantibodies and cytokines was matched by their symptoms improving.
“sometimes, while the body is fighting the virus, the immune system gets so amped up that, in addition to making antibodies that kill the virus, it can produce those that attack the host,” said mukherjee.
“however, the general tendency of the body after it fights a severe virus like sars-cov-2 is to recover, and it’s often paced out varying from individual to individual.”
mukherjee performed the study in collaboration with researchers from the university of british columbia.
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