A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan suggests that the long-term effects of influenza, commonly known as “long flu,” may be more severe than those of “Long Covid,” challenging previous assumptions.
Comparative Analysis:
The study compared patients hospitalized for flu with those hospitalized for Covid-19, focusing on subsequent medical care sought for neurological conditions such as migraines, movement disorders, and nerve problems, which have been associated with both infections.
Findings and Statistical Analysis:
Among the 77,000 patients analyzed, those hospitalized for flu were nearly twice as likely to seek medical treatment for neurological disorders in the following year compared to Covid patients.
Specifically, the flu group showed a higher likelihood of seeking treatment for nerve pain, migraines, stroke, and dementia.
Researcher’s Commentary:
Dr. Adam de Havenon, a neurologist involved in the study, highlighted the significance of the findings, emphasizing that Covid behaves similarly to other respiratory viruses in terms of neurological complications.
He expressed relief that Covid did not significantly increase the incidence of neurological complications compared to other diseases.
Biological Mechanisms and Similarities:
Both Covid and influenza infections induce inflammation in the blood, potentially damaging blood vessels throughout the body, including the brain.
Moreover, they are known to cause complications such as encephalitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Controversial Perspectives:
The study’s results may spark debate among doctors skeptical about the severity of Long Covid, particularly given significant funding allocated for its treatment.
Long Covid, characterized by persistent symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog, is often challenging to diagnose and overlaps with other conditions.
Long Flu and Long Covid:
Long flu, a similarly ill-defined condition, encompasses a range of complications experienced by individuals after a flu infection, mirroring the complexity of Long Covid.
Notably, studies have shown that vaccination reduces the likelihood of developing Long Covid.
Study Methodology and Population:
The research, published in the journal Neurology, involved reviewing medical records of 77,200 patients hospitalized with Covid and a control group hospitalized with flu before 2020.
The patients’ records were analyzed for neurological disorders for up to a year post-hospitalization.
Conclusion:
Dr. Brian Callaghan, the lead neurologist behind the study, emphasized that while unexpected, the results are reassuring.
Hospitalization with Covid did not lead to more medical care for common neurological conditions compared to flu hospitalization, providing valuable insights into the long-term effects of respiratory infections.
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