on the body

On SARS-CoV-2 reinfections, Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC, or ‘Long COVID’), multi-organ systemic damage, and viral persistence.

❦ on repeat infections

‘The data show a consistent pattern of increased likelihood of hospitalization, cardiovascular effects, clotting and other blood disorders, diabetes, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, kidney damage, mental health effects such as depression, musculoskeletal damage, neurological deficits and pulmonary damage’ with each new reinfection.


‘The risk of hospitalization, organ damage and death rises markedly with repeat COVID-19 infection.’

Harvard Magazine (2022) ➤

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Accumulation in the Skull-Meninges-Brain Axis: Potential Implications for Long-Term Neurological Complications in post-COVID-19.

❦ on a mistaken early narrative

‘The narrative that COVID-19 had only respiratory sequelae led to a delayed realization of the neurological, cardiovascular and other multisystem impacts of COVID-19.’


❦ Sequelae = After-effect(s) of a disease, condition or injury.


❦ Neurological = A neurological disorder is any disorder of the nervous system.


❦ Cardiovascular = Relating to or involving the heart and blood vessels.

Davis et al (2023)

Alternative names for chronic SARS-CoV-2 infections: Long Covid (LC), Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS), Post-COVID-19 Condition(s) (PCC), Post-COVID-19 Complications (PCC), and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

❦ A selection of potential acute / chronic complications following SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19] infection(s).

❦ ‘Long COVID’ (LC) can affect anyone exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), regardless of age or severity of original symptoms.


Long COVID is also referred to as Post-COVID-19 Complications (PCC), Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS), Post-COVID-19 Condition(s) (PCC), and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).


It might be more simply understood as chronic COVID-19.

❂ Related:

❦ on unfathomable burdens, and forward planning

‘‘Long COVID is the patient-coined term for the disease entity whereby persistent symptoms ensue in a significant proportion of those who have had COVID-19, whether asymptomatic, mild or severe.


The disease burden spans from mild symptoms to profound disability, the scale making this a huge, new healthcare challenge.


The evolving symptom list is extensive, multi-organ, multisystem and relapsing–remitting, including fatigue, breathlessness, neurocognitive effects and dysautonomia.


The oncoming burden of Long COVID faced by patients, healthcare providers, governments and economies is so large as to be unfathomable, which is possibly why minimal high-level planning is currently allocated to it.’’


❦ Dysautonomia = A condition in which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) does not work properly. This may affect the functioning of the heart, bladder, intestines, sweat glands, pupils, and blood vessels.

Professor Daniel M. Altmann et al (2023)

Organ system involvement of PASC in children. The figure outlines symptoms and conditions, grouped by body system, which have been associated with the PASC. Some symptoms may be transient and rare in children, and a description of more common manifestations is provided in the main text.

‘Organ system involvement of PASC (Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19, or PASC/PCC/Long Covid) in children.’

❦ on reinfections, and post-COVID-19 complications

‘While acute [short-term] symptoms of reinfection are generally milder, the severity and incidence rate of long COVID [PASC] increase significantly with the number of reinfections.’

The Lancet: Regional Health (Western Pacific) (2024) ➤

❦ on excess deaths in middle-aged & younger adults

‘For middle-aged adults (50–64) in England from June 2022 to June 2023, the relative excess for almost all causes of death examined was higher than that seen for all ages.


Deaths involving cardiovascular diseases were 33% higher than expected, while for specific cardiovascular diseases, deaths involving ischaemic heart diseases were 44% higher, cerebrovascular diseases 40% higher and heart failure 39% higher.


Deaths involving acute respiratory infections were 43% higher than expected and for diabetes, deaths were 35% higher.


Deaths involving liver diseases were 19% higher than expected for those aged 50–64.


The pattern now is one of persisting excess deaths which are most prominent in relative terms in middle-aged and younger adults, with deaths from CVD [cardiovascular] causes and deaths in private homes being most affected.’

The Lancet (Regional Health Europe) (2023)

❦ on SARS-CoV-2, cancer onset, and accelerated cancer development

‘‘Recent research indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 progression may predispose recovered patients to cancer onset and accelerate cancer development.”

Costanzo et al (2023)

❦ on time-lag

‘SARS-CoV-2 can cause persistent infections in many parts of the body, months past an initial illness.


SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 84 different locations in the body. The highest burden of viral RNA was found in airway and lung tissue – however, the virus was also detected in the brain, gut, heart, kidney, eye, adrenal gland and lymph nodes.’

Rich Haridy (2023)

on pregnancy and reproduction

On SARS-CoV-2 infections and the reproductive cycle.

❦ on risk

‘Death is not the main risk facing most children [with regard to SARS-CoV-2]. Disability is.’

Blake Murdoch (2023)

on babies and children

On SARS-CoV-2 infections and their effects on infants, babies, children and adolescents.

❦ a note... from 1958

‘To parody the words of Winston Churchill: never have so many been manipulated so much by so few.’

Aldous Huxley, ‘Brave New World Revisited’ (1958)

Archives: The Body

✾ On SARS-CoV-2 infections (COVID-19), brain damage, neurological damage, and dementia

by C19.Life... et al • 21 November 2025
‘Although COVID-19 was originally considered a respiratory illness, it is now well established that SARS-CoV-2 infection can have far-reaching impacts on the nervous system. Common neurological symptoms in Long COVID [PASC] include new-onset cognitive difficulties, dysautonomia, fatigue, and peripheral neuropathy.’ from ‘Neuroimmune pathophysiology of long COVID’ by Moen et al / Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (2025).

📖 Long COVID [PASC] associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among children and adolescents in the Omicron era (RECOVER-EHR): a retrospective cohort study

by Zhang et al / The Lancet: Infectious Diseases • 30 September 2025
‘Children and adolescents face a significantly higher risk of various PASC outcomes after reinfection with SARS-CoV-2. Our paediatric findings also align with adult studies.  Research in adults shows that long COVID [PASC] symptoms often worsen with repeated infections, suggesting potential shared mechanisms across age groups.’

📖 SARS-CoV-2 infection heightens the risk of developing HPV-related carcinoma in situ and cancer

by Shih et al / Springer Nature ~ Discover Oncology • 14 August 2025
‘Over a 3-year follow-up period, individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection had significantly higher risks of developing HPV-related cancers compared to those without infection: a 67% increase in cervical cancer, 131% in vaginal cancer, 98% in vulvar cancer, 92% in anal cancer, and 78% in oropharyngeal cancer. Similar trends were observed for carcinoma in situ, with increased risks of 34% for cervical, 61% for vaginal, 74% for vulvar, 96% for anal, and 78% for oropharyngeal carcinoma in situ.’

📖 Rates of infection with other pathogens after a positive COVID-19 test versus a negative test in US veterans (November 2021 to December 2023): a retrospective cohort study

by Cai et al / The Lancet: Infectious Diseases • 1 April 2025
‘In the 12 months of follow-up, people with COVID-19 who did not require admission to hospital during the acute phase of infection had increased test-positivity rates for bacterial infections (in blood, urine, and respiratory cultures) and viral diseases (including Epstein–Barr virus, herpes simplex virus reactivation, and respiratory viral infections). Compared with people admitted to hospital for seasonal influenza, those admitted for COVID-19 had higher rates of admission to hospital for infectious illnesses (increased risk of 24%), admission to hospital for sepsis (increased risk of 35%), and in-hospital use of antimicrobials (increased risk of 23%).’

Beyond Long COVID – How reinfections could be causing silent long-term organ damage

by David Putrino ❂ Sonya Buyting ~ Radio-Canada / Canadian Broadcasting Corporation • 20 March 2025
CBC Radio-Canada interview with long COVID [PASC] researcher David Putrino from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

📖 Does Covid Lead to Dementia? What We Know About Covid’s Impact on Your Brain

by Jason Gale / Bloomberg UK • 3 March 2025
‘For patients already battling Alzheimer’s disease, studies indicate that Covid can exacerbate brain inflammation, damage immune cells, and accelerate the disease. Even previously healthy older adults face an increased risk of cognitive impairment and new-onset dementia after infection. Mild Covid cases in younger adults have also been linked to brain issues affecting memory and thinking. ’

📖 Prevalence of cardiovascular symptoms in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome: a meta-analysis

by Huang et al / BMC Medicine • 6 February 2025
‘The proportions of PACS [PASC/Long Covid] patients experiencing chest pain, palpitation, and hypertension as sequelae were 22%, 18%, and 19% respectively.’

📖 Does COVID increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease?

by News Medical Life Sciences ❂ Duff et al / Nature Medicine • 2 February 2025
‘Scientists discover that even mild COVID-19 can alter brain proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, potentially increasing dementia risk. COVID-19-positive individuals exhibited lower cognitive test performance compared to controls – equivalent to almost two years of age-related cognitive decline. ’

📖 Persistent symptoms and clinical findings in adults with Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 / Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS) in the second year after acute infection

by R. Peter et al / PLOS Medicine • 23 January 2025
‘The predominant symptoms, often clustering together, remain fatigue, cognitive disturbance and chest symptoms, including breathlessness, with sleep disorder and anxiety as additional complaints. Many patients with persistent PCS [PASC/‘Long Covid’] show impaired executive functioning, reduced cognitive processing speed and reduced physical exercise capacity.’

📖 Blood–brain barrier disruption and sustained systemic inflammation in individuals with long COVID-associated cognitive impairment

by Greene et al / Nature: Neuroscience [Commentary by Danielle Beckman PhD] • 22 February 2024
❦ “This study confirms everything that I have seen in the microscope over the last few years. The authors of the study use a technique called dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging ( DCE-MRI ), an imaging technique that can measure the density , integrity , and leakiness of tissue vasculature. Comparing all individuals with previous COVID infection to unaffected controls revealed decreased general brain volume in patients with ‘brain fog’ – along with significantly reduced cerebral white matter volume in both hemispheres in the recovered and ‘brain fog’ cohorts . Covid-19 induces brain-volume loss and leaky blood-brain barrier in some patients. How can this be more clear?” © 2024 Dr. Danielle Beckman, Neuroscientist (PhD Biological Chemistry) ➲ ❂ 📖 (22 Feb 2024 ~ Nature: Neuroscience) Blood–brain barrier disruption and sustained systemic inflammation in individuals with long COVID-associated cognitive impairment ➤ ‘ Our data suggest that sustained systemic inflammation and persistent localized blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is a key feature of long COVID-associated brain fog. Patients with long COVID had elevated levels of IL-8, GFAP and TGFβ, with TGFβ specifically increased in the cohort with brain fog. GFAP is a robust marker of cerebrovascular damage and is elevated after repetitive head trauma, reflecting BBB disruption, as seen in contact sport athletes and in individuals with self-reported neurological symptoms in long COVID. Interestingly, TGFβ was strongly associated with BBB disruption and structural brain changes. ’ [Layperson overview] 📖 (February 2024 ~ Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News) Leaky Blood Vessels in the Brain Linked to Brain Fog in Long COVID Patients ➤ [Related] 📖 (7 Feb 2022 ~ Nature: Cardiovascular Research) Blood–brain barrier link to human cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease ➤ ❂

📖 Long-term risks of respiratory diseases in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: a longitudinal, population-based cohort study

by Meng et al / The Lancet: eClinical Medicine • 17 February 2024
❦ ‘The occurrences of respiratory disorders among patients who survived for 30 days after the COVID-19 diagnosis continued to rise consistently, including asthma, bronchiectasis, COPD, ILD, PVD*, and lung cancer. * COPD = Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . ILD = Interstitial lung disease . PVD = Peripheral vascular disease . With the severity of the acute phase of COVID-19, the risk of all respiratory diseases increases progressively. Besides, during the 24-months follow-up, we observed an increasing trend in the risks of asthma and bronchiectasis over time, which indicates that long-term monitoring and meticulous follow-up of these patients is essential. These findings contribute to a more complete understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the respiratory system and highlight the importance of prevention and early intervention of these respiratory sequelae of COVID-19. In this study, several key findings have been further identified. Firstly, our research demonstrates a significant association between COVID-19 and an increased long-term risk of developing various respiratory diseases. Secondly, we found that the risk of respiratory disease increases with severity in patients with COVID-19, indicating that it is necessary to pay attention to respiratory COVID-19 sequelae in patients, especially those hospitalized during the acute stage of infection. This is consistent with the findings of Lam et al., who found that the risk of some respiratory diseases (including chronic pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome and ILD) increased with the severity of COVID-19. Notably, however, our study found that asthma and COPD remained evident even in the non-hospitalized population. This emphasizes that even in cases of mild COVID-19, the healthcare system should remain vigilant. Thirdly, we investigated differences in risk across time periods, as well as the long-term effects of COVID-19 on respiratory disease. During the 2-years follow-up period, the risks of COPD, ILD, PVD and lung cancer decreased, while risks of asthma and bronchiectasis increased. Fourthly, our study showed a significant increase of the long-term risk of developing asthma, COPD, ILD, and lung cancer diseases among individuals who suffered SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. This finding emphasizes the importance of preventing reinfection of COVID-19 in order to protect public health and reduce the potential burden of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. Interestingly, vaccination appears to have a potentially worsening effect on asthma morbidity compared with other outcomes. This observation aligns with some previous studies that have suggested a possible induction of asthma onset or exacerbation by COVID-19 vaccination. It suggests that more care may be necessary for patients with asthma on taking the COVID vaccines. The underlying mechanisms associated with COVID and respiratory outcomes are not fully understood, but several hypotheses have been proposed. First, SARS-CoV-2 can persist in tissues (including the respiratory tract), as well as the circulating system for an extended period of time after the initial infection. This prolonged presence of the virus could directly contribute to long-term damage of the respiratory tissues, consequently leading to the development of various respiratory diseases. Second, it has been observed that SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to prolonged immunological dysfunctions, including highly activated innate immune cells, a deficiency in naive T and B cells, and increased expression of interferons and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. These immune system abnormalities are closely associated with common chronic respiratory diseases – asthma, bronchiectasis, COPD, as well as the development of lung cancer. Next, SARS-CoV-2 itself has been shown to drive cross-reactive antibody responses, and a range of autoantibodies were found in patients with COVID-19. In conclusion, our research adds to the existing knowledge regarding the effects of COVID-19 on the respiratory system. Specifically, it shows that the risk of respiratory illness increases with the severity of infection and reinfection. Our findings emphasize the importance of providing extended care and attention to patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2.’ ❂ 📖 (17 Feb 2024 ~ The Lancet: eClinical Medicine) Long-term risks of respiratory diseases in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: a longitudinal, population-based cohort study ➤ © 2024 The Lancet: eClinical Medicine .

On unseen costs, refrigerator trucks, and the train coming down the tunnel

by Dr. David Joffe PhD / FRACP (Respiratory Physician) • 27 January 2024
❦ “It’s really not in the interest of the virus to kill us quickly. That’s why it has mutated to immune escape. That way it enters silently, and then eats you slowly whilst you’re still a spreading vector. Refrigerator trucks are long gone. That’s all the political class wanted. The unseen costs of CVD [cardiovascular disease] , DM [diabetes mellitus] , and both dementia and Parkinson’s Disease are the train coming down the tunnel. The economists are catching up. The actuaries are already there. Politicians and most people? Not yet...” ❂ © 2024 Dr. David Joffe PhD / FRACP (Respiratory Physician) ➲

📖 Microstructural brain abnormalities, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction after mild COVID-19

by Scardua-Silva et al / Nature: Scientific Reports • 19 January 2024
❦ ‘Although some studies have shown neuroimaging and neuropsychological alterations in post-COVID-19 patients, fewer combined neuroimaging and neuropsychology evaluations of individuals who presented a mild acute infection. Here we investigated cognitive dysfunction and brain changes in a group of mildly infected individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 97 consecutive subjects ( median age of 41 years ) without current or history of psychiatric symptoms (including anxiety and depression) after a mild infection , with a median of 79 days (and mean of 97 days ) after diagnosis of COVID-19. We performed semi-structured interviews, neurological examinations, 3T-MRI scans, and neuropsychological assessments. The patients reported memory loss ( 36% ), fatigue ( 31% ) and headache ( 29% ). The quantitative analyses confirmed symptoms of fatigue ( 83% of participants), excessive somnolence ( 35% ), impaired phonemic verbal fluency ( 21% ), impaired verbal categorical fluency ( 13% ) and impaired logical memory immediate recall ( 16% ). Our group… presented higher rates of impairments in processing speed ( 11.7% in FDT- Reading and 10% in FDT- Counting ). The white matter (WM) analyses with DTI * revealed higher axial diffusivity values in post-infected patients compared to controls. * Diffusion tensor imaging tractography , or DTI tractography, is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technique most commonly used to provide imaging of the brain. Our results suggest persistent cognitive impairment and subtle white matter abnormalities in individuals mildly infected , without anxiety or depression symptoms. One intriguing fact is that we observed a high proportion of low average performance in our sample of patients (which has a high average level of education ), including immediate and late verbal episodic memory, phonological and semantic verbal fluency, immediate visuospatial episodic memory, processing speed, and inhibitory control . Although most subjects did not present significant impaired scores compared with the normative data, we speculate that the low average performance affecting different domains may result in a negative impact in everyday life , especially in individuals with high levels of education and cognitive demands .’ ❂ ❦ Note how these findings might negatively affect daily activities that demand sustained cognitive attention and fast reaction times – such as driving a car or motorbike, or piloting a plane. Consider air-traffic control. Consider the impact on healthcare workers whose occupations combine long periods of intense concentration with a need for critical precision. ❂ 📖 (19 Jan 2024 ~ Nature: Scientific Reports) Microstructural brain abnormalities, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction after mild COVID-19 ➤ © 2024 Nature .

On bone health, bone loss, and vertebral fractures ~ 📖 SARS-CoV-2 and its Multifaceted Impact on Bone Health: Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence

by Harris et al / Current Osteoporosis Reports • 18 January 2024
‘ Clinical evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may lead to hypocalcemia, altered bone turnover markers, and a high prevalence of vertebral fractures. ’

📖 Immune damage in Long Covid

by Wolfram Ruf / Science • 18 January 2024
❦ ‘Acute infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cause a respiratory illness that can be associated with systemic immune cell activation and inflammation , widespread multi-organ dysfunction , and thrombosis . Not everyone fully recovers from COVID-19, leading to Long Covid, the treatment of which is a major unmet clinical need. Long Covid can affect people of all ages , follows severe as well as mild disease , and involves multiple organs . Patients with Long Covid display signs of immune dysfunction and exhaustion , persistent immune cell activation , and autoimmune antibody production , which are also pathological features of acute COVID-19. The complement system is crucial for innate immune defense by effecting lytic destruction of invading micro-organisms, but when uncontrolled, it causes cell and vascular damage . The complement cascade is activated by antigen–antibody complexes in the classical pathways or in the lectin pathway by multimeric proteins (lectins) that recognize specific carbohydrate structures, which are also found on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that facilitates host cell entry. Both pathways may contribute to the pronounced complement activation in acute COVID-19. Long Covid symptoms include a postexertional exhaustion reminiscent of other post-viral illnesses , such as myalgic encephalomyelitis ( ME ) – chronic fatigue syndrome ( MECFS ) with suspected latent viral reactivation . Antibody titer changes in Long Covid patients indicate an association of fatigue with reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV ) infections , and Cervia-Hasler et al found that the severity of Long Covid symptoms is associated with cytomegalovirus ( CMV ) reactivation . A better understanding of the connections between viral reactivation, persistent interferon signaling, and autoimmune pathologies promises to yield new insights into the thromboinflammation associated with Long Covid. Although therapeutic interventions with coagulation and complement inhibitors in acute COVID-19 produced mixed results, the pathological features specific for Long Covid suggest potential interventions for clinical testing. Microclots are also observed in ME-CFS patients , indicating crucial interactions between complement, vWF, and coagulation-mediated fibrin formation in post-viral syndromes. A better definition of these interactions in preclinical and clinical settings will be crucial for the translation of new therapeutic concepts in chronic thromboinflammatory diseases .’ ❂ 📖 (18 Jan 2024 ~ Science) Immune damage in Long Covid ➤ © 2024 Wolfram Ruf / Science .

📖 Beyond breathing: How COVID-19 affects your heart, brain and other organs

by Michael Merschel / American Heart Association • 16 January 2024
“I would argue that COVID-19 is not a disease of the lungs at all. It seems most likely that it is what we call a vascular and neurologic infection, affecting both nerve endings and our cardiovascular system.”

📖 Unravelling the connection between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease: a comprehensive review

by Shajahan et al / Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience • 8 January 2024
‘[COVID-19’s] ability to invade the central nervous system through the hematogenous and neural routes, besides attacking the respiratory system, has the potential to worsen cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease patients. The severity of this issue must be highlighted.’

📖 Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID

by Appelman et al / Nature Communications • 4 January 2024
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a marked physical or mental fatigue and deterioration of symptoms occurring after physical , cognitive , social or emotional exertion that would have been tolerated previously. Symptoms typically worsen 12 to 48 hours after such activities , and can last for days , weeks or months , making it difficult to manage or predict. PEM is a hallmark symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and is commonly reported by people with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS/‘Long Covid’). PEM can be mitigated by activity management , or ‘ pacing ’.

📖 On SARS-CoV-2 vs Seasonal Influenza

by Carolyn Barber / Fortune & Outbreak Updates • 14 December 2023
❦ ‘Al-Aly’s study undertook a comparative analysis of 94 pre-specified health outcomes and found that over 18 months of follow-up, COVID was associated with a “ significantly increased risk ” for 64 of them, or nearly 70% . The disease’s enhanced risk list includes everything from cardiac arrest , stroke , chronic kidney disease , and cognitive impairment to mental health and fatigue , characteristics often associated with long COVID. By comparison, the seasonal flu was associated with increased risk in only 6 of the 94 conditions specified. Further, while COVID increased the risks for almost all the organ systems studied, the flu heightened risk primarily for the pulmonary ( lung ) system . Those findings, Al-Aly says, suggest that “ COVID is really a multi-systemic disease , and flu is more a respiratory virus ”.’ ❂ 📖 (14 Dec 2023 ~ Fortune) COVID-19 v. Flu: A ‘much more serious threat,’ new study into long-term risks concludes ➤ 📖 (14 Dec 2023 ~ The Lancet) Long-term outcomes following hospital admission for COVID-19 versus seasonal influenza: a cohort study ➤ © 2023 Carolyn Barber / Fortune .

📖 Excess mortality in England post Covid-19 pandemic: implications for secondary prevention

by Pearson-Stuttard et al / The Lancet (Regional Health Europe) • 1 December 2023
❦ 'For middle-aged adults ( 50–64 ) in this period [June 2022 – June 2023 ], the relative excess for almost all causes of death examined was higher than that seen for all ages .' ➲ ‘Since July 2020, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has published estimates of excess mortality. In the period from week ending 3rd June 2022 to 30th June 2023 , excess deaths for all causes were relatively greatest for 50–64 year olds ( 15% higher than expected ), compared with 11% higher for 25–49 and < 25 year olds , and about 9% higher for over 65 year old groups. Several causes, including cardiovascular diseases , show a relative excess greater than that seen in deaths from all-causes ( 9% ) over the same period (week ending 3rd June 2022–30th June 2023), namely: all cardiovascular diseases ( 12% ), heart failure ( 20% ), ischaemic heart diseases ( 15% ), liver diseases ( 19%) , acute respiratory infections ( 14% ), and diabetes ( 13% ). For middle-aged adults (50–64) in this 13-month period, the relative excess for almost all causes of death examined was higher than that seen for all ages . Deaths involving cardiovascular diseases were 33% higher than expected, while for specific cardiovascular diseases, deaths involving ischaemic heart diseases were 44% higher , cerebrovascular diseases 40% higher and heart failure 39% higher . Deaths involving acute respiratory infections were 43% higher than expected and for diabetes , deaths were 35% higher . Deaths involving liver diseases were 19% higher than expected for those aged 50–64 , the same as for deaths at all ages. Looking at place of death, from 3rd June 2022 to 30th June 2023 there were 22% more deaths in private homes than expected compared with 10% more in hospitals . The greatest numbers of excess deaths in the acute phase of the pandemic were in older adults. The pattern now is one of persisting excess deaths which are most prominent in relative terms in middle-aged and younger adults , with deaths from CVD [cardiovascular] causes and deaths in private homes being most affected.’ ❂ ➲ [C19.Life Note ] : Considering their findings and conclusion, I’m not sure why the authors would choose to use the term ‘post-pandemic’ in this title – when their evidence points to an on-going pandemic, fueled by continuing high rates of infection, that is now simply killing younger age-groups than previously seen.] ❂ 📖 (1 Dec 2023 ~ The Lancet (Regional Health Europe) Excess mortality in England post Covid-19 pandemic: implications for secondary prevention ➤ © 2023 Pearson-Stuttard et al / The Lancet (Regional Health Europe) .
Show More Articles

❦ on the body: scientific papers & media articles

✒ 2023

📖 (23 Sep 2023 ~ Time) Why You Should Rest – a Lot – If You Have COVID-19 ➤


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📖 (18 Sep 2023 ~ Diagnostics) Molecular Diagnosis of COVID-19 Sudden and Unexplained Deaths: The Insidious Face of the Pandemic ➤


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📖 (Accessed 17 Sep 2023 ~ US Govt/Covid.gov) [NOTE: Re-accessed 28 Oct 2026: This Long COVID article HAS BEEN REPLACED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP] What is Long COVID? Long COVID terms and definitions development explained ➤


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📖 (Accessed 16 Sep 2023 ~ RTHM) Viral Reactivation and Long COVID ➤


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📖 (Accessed 16 Sep 2023 ~ LCGAR: Long COVID Gene Association Resource) Long COVID – Phenotypes, Gene Association, Gene Ontology, Pathways and Drug repurposing ➤


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📖 (14 Sep 2023 ~ The John Snow Project) COVID-19: A New Disease Paradigm – What if SARS-CoV-2 continues to infect us even after the initial symptoms fade? ➤


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📖 (12 Sep 2023 ~ Genome Medicine) SARS-CoV-2 infection induces a long-lived pro-inflammatory transcriptional profile ➤


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📖 (4 Sep 2023 ~ The Lancet) Determinants of the onset and prognosis of the post-COVID-19 condition: a 2-year prospective observational cohort study ➤


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📖 (4 Sep 2023 ~ Nature: Immunology) SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) ➤


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📖 (1 Sep 2023 ~ International Journal of Infectious Diseases) Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in middle ear fluid and characterization of otitis media with effusion in COVID-19 patients ➤


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📖 (9 Aug 2023 ~ Pre-print) Long COVID in a highly vaccinated population infected during a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron wave – Australia, 2022 ➤


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📖 (17 July 2023 ~ The Lancet) Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: understanding and addressing the burden of multisystem manifestations ➤


➲ 'Individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection can develop symptoms that persist well beyond the acute phase of COVID-19 or emerge after the acute phase, lasting for weeks or months after the initial acute illness.


The post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, which include physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments, are known collectively as long COVID or post-COVID-19 condition (PCC).


The proportion of patients affected by post-COVID-19 condition might be in the range of 10–30% of those infected with SARS-CoV-2, although understanding of this condition is still evolving.


Socio-economic factors are fundamental determinants of health after COVID-19.


Individuals from low-income and middle-income countries, those from marginalised communities, and those who are socially disadvantaged are probably disproportionately affected.


The post-COVID-19 condition is systemic, affecting various organ systems.


PCC results in increased use of healthcare resources, a decreased quality of life, an increased susceptibility to subsequent viral or bacterial infection, and leads to heightened vulnerability to perioperative morbidity and mortality for individuals who require a surgical procedure for any (unrelated) indication.


With a large and growing global population of survivors of COVID-19, the impact on individuals, healthcare systems, communities, and society is likely to be substantial.


At present, there are no specific treatments for post-COVID-19-condition.'


❂


📖 (11 July 2023 ~ Nature Reviews: Immunology) The immunology of long COVID ➤

 

➲ 'Long COVID is the patient-coined term for the disease entity whereby persistent symptoms ensue in a significant proportion of those who have had COVID-19, whether asymptomatic, mild or severe.


The disease burden spans from mild symptoms to profound disability, the scale making this a huge, new healthcare challenge.


Long COVID will likely be stratified into several more or less discrete entities with potentially distinct pathogenic pathways.


The evolving symptom list is extensive, multi-organ, multisystem and relapsing–remitting, including fatigue, breathlessness, neurocognitive effects and dysautonomia.


A range of radiological abnormalities in the olfactory bulb, brain, heart, lung and other sites have been observed in individuals with Long COVID.


Some body sites indicate the presence of microclots; these and other blood markers of hypercoagulation implicate a likely role of endothelial activation and clotting abnormalities.


Diverse auto-antibody (AAB) specificities have been found, as yet without a clear consensus or correlation with symptom clusters.


There is support for a role of persistent SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs and/or an effect of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation, and evidence from immune subset changes for broad immune perturbation.


The oncoming burden of Long COVID faced by patients, healthcare providers, governments and economies is so large as to be unfathomable, which is possibly why minimal high-level planning is currently allocated to it.'


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📖 (5 Jun 2023 ~ CIDRAP/University of Minnesota) Study finds 27% rate of long COVID in infected health workers ➤


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📖 (23 May 2023 ~ Biochimie) Possible cancer-causing capacity of COVID-19: Is SARS-CoV-2 an oncogenic agent? ➤


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📖 (17 May 2023 ~ News Medical) Post-COVID condition varies by variant and vaccination status ➤


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📖 (10 May 2023 ~ The Lancet) Association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistence with long COVID ➤

 

➲ 'Long COVID or post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) can affect anyone exposed to SARS-CoV-2, regardless of age or severity of the original symptoms, characterised by long-term health problems persisting or appearing after the typical recovery period of COVID-19.


The presented evidence suggests that the duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients can persist considerably longer than suggested by PCR-negative tests on nasopharyngeal swabs or bronchoalveolar lavage fluids.


A US study including 40,947 participants with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection (two or more infections) indicated that reinfection further increases risks of death, hospitalisation, and sequelae in multiple organ systems in the acute and post-acute phases.'


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📖 (25 Apr 2023 ~ International Journal of Molecular Sciences) Deciphering the Relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and Cancer ➤

 

➲ 'Some viruses are known to be associated with the onset of specific cancers.


These micro-organisms – oncogenic viruses or oncoviruses – can convert normal cells into cancer cells.


Seven oncogenic viruses are known to promote tumorigenesis [tumour creation] in humans: human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1), Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV).


Recent research indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 progression may predispose recovered patients to cancer onset and accelerate cancer development.


This hypothesis is based on the growing evidence regarding the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to modulate oncogenic pathways, promoting chronic low-grade inflammation and causing tissue damage.'


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📖 (24 Apr 2023 ~ European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology) Hearing loss and COVID-19: an umbrella review ➤


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📖 (22 Mar 2023 ~ Evidence-Based Oncology) Kashyap Patel, MD, Sees Link Between COVID-19 and Cancer Progression, Calls for More Biomarker Testing ➤

 

➲ 'Kashyap Patel, MD, CEO of Carolina Blood & Cancer Care Associates, sees something different in his practice since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – not just with cancer care, but with cancer itself.


“The trend is getting more and more alarming. We are noticing trends in hematological malignancies, breast cancer, colorectal carcinoma and pancreatic cancer.”


With COVID-19 added to the mix, Patel now fears a “perfect storm” of factors will trigger inflammatory responses in some patients, causing cancer to arrive years earlier than normal and making it deadlier once it is diagnosed.'


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📖 (1 Mar 2023 ~ Scientific American) Long COVID Now Looks like a Neurological Disease, Helping Doctors to Focus Treatments ➤


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📖 (27 Feb 2023 ~ eClinicalMedicine/The Lancet) Multiomic characterisation of the long-term sequelae of SARS survivors: a clinical observational study ➤


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📖 (23 Feb 2023 ~ News Medical Life Sciences) Pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 viral components on human periodontal tissues and cells ➤


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📖 (22 Feb 2023 ~ Journal of Orthopaedic Research) Acute bone loss following SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice ➤


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📖 (16 Feb 2023 ~ Nature Medicine) Comorbidities, multimorbidity and COVID-19 ➤


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📖 (20 Jan 2023 ~ International Journal of Molecular Medicine) Digestive system infection by SARS‑CoV‑2: Entry mechanism, clinical symptoms and expression of major receptors (Review) ➤


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📖 (18 Jan 2023 ~ Pathological Society) Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients seemingly recovered from COVID-19 ➤


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📖 (13 Jan 2023 ~ Nature Reviews / Microbiology) Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations ➤

 

➲ 'Long COVID is a multi-systemic illness encompassing ME/CFS, dysautonomia, impacts on multiple organ systems, and vascular and clotting abnormalities.


It has already debilitated millions of individuals worldwide, and that number is continuing to grow.


On the basis of more than 2 years of research on Long COVID and decades of research on conditions such as ME/CFS, a significant proportion of individuals with Long COVID may have lifelong disabilities if no action is taken.


Diagnostic and treatment options are currently insufficient, and many clinical trials are urgently needed to rigorously test treatments that address hypothesized underlying biological mechanisms, including viral persistence, neuroinflammation, excessive blood clotting and autoimmunity.'


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📖 (9 Jan 2023 ~ Science Alert) COVID Autopsies Reveal The Virus Spreading Through The 'Entire Body' ➤


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✒ 2022

📖 (14 Dec 2022 ~ Nature) SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistence in the human body and brain at autopsy ➤

 

➲ 'Others have previously reported SARS-CoV-2 RNA within the heart, lymph node, small intestine and adrenal gland.


We replicate these findings… and we conclusively demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 is capable of infecting and replicating within... the heart, lymph node, small intestine, adrenal gland... respiratory tissues... and brain.


The virus can disseminate throughout the entire body.’


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📖 (22 Nov 2022 ~ National Institutes of Health/NIH) COVID-19 disrupts gut microbiome ➤


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📖 (28 Sep 2022 ~ The Tyee) The Coming COVID Brain Wreck? ➤


➲ 'A new study adds to concerns about the severity and scope of neurological damage the virus can cause.'


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📖 (23 Sep 2022 ~ CTV News/Canada) COVID raises risk of long-term brain injury, large U.S. study finds ➤


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📖 (22 Sep 2022 ~ Nature: Medicine) Long-term neurologic outcomes of COVID-19 ➤


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📖 (9 Aug 2022 ~ Journal of Infection) Is SARS-CoV-2 an oncogenic virus? ➤


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📖 (28 Apr 2022 ~ The Lancet) Long-term mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection: A national cohort study from Estonia ➤


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✒ 2021

📖 (18 Nov 2021 ~ Forbes) Covid Ear: Virus Implicated ➤


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📖 (26 Aug 2021 ~ Journal of Oral Microbiology) Mycotic infections – mucormycosis and oral candidiasis associated with Covid-19: a significant and challenging association ➤


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📖 (7 Jun 2021 ~ International Journal of Molecular Science) Evidence for Biological Age Acceleration and Telomere Shortening in COVID-19 Survivors ➤


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📖 (23 Mar 2021 ~ Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology) Persistent neurologic symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in non-hospitalized Covid-19 "long haulers" ➤


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📖 (16 Feb 2021 ~ Neurogastroenterology & Motility) Implications of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection for neurogastroenterology ➤


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📖 (1 Jan 2021 ~ International Journal of Biological Sciences) A Multiple-Hit Hypothesis Involving Reactive Oxygen Species and Myeloperoxidase Explains Clinical Deterioration and Fatality in COVID-19 ➤

 

➲ 'Multi-system involvement is a hallmark of COVID-19.


Although direct viral spread to distant organs is a possibility, release of inflammatory mediators and downstream messengers are also likely important effectors of physiological systems.


Major physiological systems affected in COVID-19 include, primarily, the respiratory and cardiovascular system, as well as the renal, hepatic, and nervous systems.'


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✒ 2020

📖 (5 Aug 2020 ~ Frontiers in Medicine) Single Virus Targeting Multiple Organs: What We Know and Where We Are Heading? ➤

 

➲ 'The common symptoms of [COVID-19] include dry cough, fatigue, and fever. Sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, and pains are also common.


However, several other manifestations related to the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal system failure is making treatment difficult for critically ill patients.


The presence of ACE2 receptors throughout the human body provides an opportunity for the virus to invade different organs easily and is a possible explanation why multiple-organ damage has been reported in many patients.'


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📖 (15 Jul 2020 ~ The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery) Musculoskeletal Consequences of COVID-19 ➤


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📖 (24 Apr 2020 ~ Science) A rampage through the body ➤

 

➲ 'The lungs are ground zero, but COVID-19 also tears through organ systems from brain to blood vessels.


Clinicians and pathologists are struggling to understand the damage wrought by the coronavirus as it tears through the body.


They are realizing that although the lungs are ground zero, the virus' reach can extend to many organs including the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, gut, and brain.


“COVID-19 can attack almost anything in the body with devastating consequences,” says cardiologist Harlan Krumholz of Yale University and Yale-New Haven Hospital, who is leading multiple efforts to gather clinical data on COVID-19.


“Its ferocity is breathtaking and humbling.”


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