Many people who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection may live with post-COVID symptoms (also called long COVID) for an unknown period of time. Clinical researchers from Hong Kong are carrying out a large-scale pilot study on the prevalence of the disease. The data can be used to formulate diagnosis and treatment plans. The study will look at the distinct gut microbiome composition of some of the patients.
Long COVID, known also as long-term sequelae of COVID-19, refers to post-COVID symptoms that persist after recovery that can affect multiple organs and systems. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, heart problems, and brain fog, among others.
According to data by the UK national office on May 6, 2022, “2.0 million people were experiencing self-reported long COVID as of 4 June 2022.”
It is estimated that over 20 million American adults are living with long COVID, while about 7 million are experiencing disabling long COVID.
