Did you know that about one in five people who recover from COVID-19 continue to feel sick even after the virus is gone? This condition is known as “long” COVID, and while it might sound alarming, it’s not entirely new.
Welcome to MinuteEarth! Just like COVID-19, other respiratory illnesses can have “long” versions too. For example, babies who catch RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are more likely to develop asthma as they grow up. People who had SARS over ten years ago still show signs of lung damage. Similarly, some people who get the flu continue to have coughing and breathing problems for months after they think they’ve recovered. So, why do these viruses cause long-term problems? There are three main reasons:
When you catch a virus, your body sends proteins to your lungs to help fight it off. These proteins can irritate the area and attract fluids to battle the virus. However, even after the virus is gone, these proteins can stick around and cause problems for weeks.
Your immune system is like a superhero team that fights off germs. During an infection, it focuses on creating special cells to fight the virus. Once the infection is over, it takes time for your immune system to go back to its usual routine. During this period, bacteria that your body usually controls can grow and cause issues.
Respiratory viruses can damage the tissues they infect, especially in the lungs. As these tissues heal, they might scar, which can make it harder for your lungs to take in oxygen efficiently.
These effects are concerning, but what do they mean for people with long COVID? We see all three of these processes happening, but with some differences. COVID-19 is less likely to cause severe bacterial infections compared to other viruses, which is good news. However, it tends to leave behind more problematic proteins in the lungs, causing some people to return to the hospital even after they think they’ve recovered. COVID-19 can also affect different types of cells, leading to lasting scarring not only in the lungs but also in the heart and brain.
Thankfully, our experience with other long-term diseases helps us tackle these challenges. Doctors now know to look for and treat possible post-COVID bacterial infections. They have also developed medicines to remove inflammation-causing proteins from the lungs and help lung cells regrow without harmful scarring.
Since the first cases of long COVID appeared only a few years ago, we’re still learning about its long-term effects and symptoms like tiredness and joint pain. However, we’re optimistic that what we’ve learned from other long diseases will help us find effective solutions for long COVID.
This video was made in partnership with Bill Gates. Thank you, Bill!
Research another respiratory illness that can have a “long” version, such as the flu or RSV. Create a short presentation to share with the class, explaining the long-term effects and how they compare to long COVID. Use visuals to make your presentation engaging.
In small groups, role-play the immune system’s response to a virus. Assign roles such as virus, immune cells, and proteins. Act out how the body fights the virus and what happens when the proteins linger, leading to long-term effects. Discuss what you learned with the class.
Write a short story from the perspective of a protein that lingers in the lungs after a virus is gone. Describe its journey and the impact it has on the body. Share your story with a partner and discuss the science behind it.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand scarring. Use a sponge to represent lung tissue and a knife to create cuts. Observe how the sponge changes as it “heals” and discuss how this relates to tissue scarring in the lungs after a viral infection.
Prepare questions and interview a healthcare professional about their experiences with long COVID and other long-term diseases. Ask about treatments and challenges they face. Share your findings with the class in a report or presentation.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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As many as one out of every five COVID survivors experiences “long” COVID, which means that even after the virus has cleared, they continue to feel unwell. This is concerning, but it is not without precedent.
Welcome to MinuteEarth. Similar to COVID, other respiratory diseases also have “long” versions. For instance, infants who contract RSV are significantly more likely to develop asthma later on. Many individuals who had SARS over a decade ago still show lung damage. Additionally, a notable percentage of people who get the flu continue to experience coughing fits and breathing difficulties months after recovery. Many viruses that are typically considered short-term can lead to long-term issues, and there appear to be three primary reasons for this:
The first reason is that when infected with these viruses, the body releases various proteins to the lungs. These proteins aim to irritate the area and attract fluids to help combat the virus. However, once the virus is gone, these proteins can linger and cause ongoing issues for weeks.
The second reason involves the immune system. Typically, it produces a variety of pathogen-fighting cells. However, during an infection, the immune response focuses on specialized virus-fighting cells. After the infection resolves, it takes time for the immune system to revert to a broader defense strategy. During this transition, bacteria that the body usually manages can proliferate and lead to complications.
The third reason is that the specific tissues affected by respiratory viruses, particularly the lung lining, may scar as they heal from the infection, potentially reducing lung efficiency in oxygen intake.
These outcomes are concerning. But what do they imply for those suffering from long COVID? We observe all three of these processes occurring, albeit with some differences. COVID appears to be less likely to cause severe bacterial infections compared to other viruses, which is a positive aspect. However, it is more prone to leaving behind problematic proteins in the lungs, leading many individuals to return to the hospital after believing they have recovered. Furthermore, since COVID can affect various cell types, it may result in lasting scarring not only in the lungs but also in the heart and brain.
Fortunately, our previous experiences with long diseases provide us with tools to address these long-term challenges. For example, doctors are now aware of the need to identify and treat potential post-COVID bacterial infections. They have also developed medications to eliminate inflammation-causing proteins in the lungs and promote the regrowth of lung lining cells while minimizing harmful scarring.
Since the first individuals diagnosed with long COVID were infected only a couple of years ago, we are still learning about its long-term effects and the reasons behind symptoms such as fatigue and joint pain. However, we remain hopeful that the insights gained from studying other long diseases will lead to effective solutions for the challenges posed by long COVID.
This video was made in partnership with Bill Gates. Thank you, Bill!
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This version maintains the essential information while using more neutral language.
Covid – A disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which primarily affects the respiratory system. – During the pandemic, many people wore masks to prevent the spread of Covid.
Virus – A microscopic infectious agent that can only replicate inside the cells of a host organism. – The flu is caused by a virus that spreads easily from person to person.
Immune – Having resistance to a particular infection or toxin due to the presence of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells. – After receiving the vaccine, her body became immune to the disease.
Proteins – Large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body, including building tissues and organs. – Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body.
Lungs – Two large respiratory organs in the chest that remove carbon dioxide from and bring oxygen to the blood. – Smoking can damage the lungs and lead to serious health problems.
Respiratory – Relating to or affecting the organs and processes involved in breathing. – The respiratory system includes the nose, throat, and lungs.
Tissues – Groups of cells in an organism that have similar structure and function. – Muscle tissues contract to produce movement in the body.
Asthma – A chronic respiratory condition characterized by episodes of airflow obstruction, causing wheezing and shortness of breath. – People with asthma often carry inhalers to help them breathe during an attack.
Inflammation – A biological response to harmful stimuli, characterized by redness, swelling, and pain. – Inflammation can occur in the body as a response to infection or injury.
Recovery – The process of returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength after illness or injury. – After the surgery, the patient focused on recovery through rest and physical therapy.
