Long COVID isn't the only post-viral illness

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Long COVID isn't the only post-viral illness By Jamie Ducharme Health Correspondent When talking about COVID-19, I often hear people say, “Wow, this virus can do anything!” From weird acute symptoms (remember COVID toes?) to devastating cases of Long COVID and serious organ damage, the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are scarily diverse. But it’s a mistake to think that SARS-CoV-2 is unique in this respect. Lots of viruses—even common ones like influenza and Epstein-Barr (which triggers mono)—can cause serious, sometimes life-long complications, including chronic pain, crushing fatigue, and cognitive decline. And due to decades of neglect from the medical and scientific communities, we still don’t have a great understanding of why that is or what can be done to reverse these issues. Long COVID has, at least, spurred new interest in post-viral illnesses and prompted the federal government to supply more than $1 billion for research. But in the meantime, we’d all be smart to do what we can to avoid getting infected by any virus. By providing partial protection against infections, tools like masks, ventilation, and vaccines also shield against potentially lifelong complications. READ THE STORY.   Share the story

What else to read This Group Wants to Teach You How to Get Abortions Even Where They’re Banned By Charlotte Alter Mayday Health is on the front lines of the next battle over abortion rights: the information war. Read More » You Asked: What's the Most Effective Machine to Use at the Gym? By Markham Heid You don't need much time to get a total-body workout. (Originally published in 2019.) Read More » 5 Easy Nutrition Tweaks You Should Make, According to Dietitians By Jamie Ducharme Improving nutrition doesn't always have to mean a diet overhaul. (Originally published in 2018.) Read More » These Are the Dirtiest Places in Your Hotel Room By Abigail Abrams From toilets to television remotes, hotel rooms are teeming with bacteria and microbial organisms, say researchers. (Originally published in 2018.) Read More » The Secrets to Living a Longer and Better Life By Jeffrey Kluger and Alexandra Sifferlin Drinking alcohol and eating breakfast could play a role. (Originally published in 2018.) Read More »

One Last Read Welcome to virus hell If viruses keep ping-ponging around your household, you're not alone. "The onslaught of viruses this fall has been so monstrous and relentless that it seems like every parent I know—friends, colleagues, neighbors, everyone—has a story to tell," writes Caitlin Gibson, features writer at the Washington Post. It's indeed an unprecedented season, clinicians told Gibson: the worst flu season in more than a decade, plus shortages of fever-reducing drugs and antibiotics. Read More »

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