What we know…
About long-haul COVID
What is long-haul COVID?
Long-haul COVID-19 is characterized by the persistence of symptoms beyond 4 weeks after the initial diagnosis. Symptoms are varied and may include fatigue, shortness of breath, partial or total loss of smell and taste, and anxiety among other symptoms.
Who develops long-haul COVID?
Long-haul COVID-19 is most likely to develop in people who have had significant symptoms in the acute phase of the disease (first 14 days), but it can also occur in patients who were asymptomatic.
Currently, 15 to 35% of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 go on to develop long haul COVID.
Long-haul COVID hits those anywhere between 30 and 60 years of age, and is most prevalent in the 50-60 year age group. Women are more affected than men as they account for up to 80% of cases according to some studies.
“Almost two years into the pandemic, there are a growing number of people who were sick and are not getting better.
They are known as COVID-19 long-haulers, people living with unexplained symptoms including pain, exhaustion and debilitating brain fog.”
Testimony as related in a report first aired on Global News last December. Full coverage can be viewed here.
In Quebec, Dr. Gaston de Serres of the INSPQ (Public Health Expertise and Reference Centre) has conducted follow-ups with health care workers and is able to confirm the extensiveness of long-haul COVID. More than a third of all employees, who DID NOT require hospitalization still present symptoms three months after initial infection. Half of whom have at least one acute symptom. For those patients that required hospitalization, the proportion goes up to 70%. Thousands of care-givers have not been able to return to work due to long-haul COVID!
About the microbiome (gut flora) and COVID-19
All the micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses…) that live in a specific environment constitute a microbiota. Thus, there exists an intestinal, oral, and pulmonary microbiota…
Those the most at risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19 frequently have what is called intestinal dysbiosis, i.e. an alteration of the intestinal microbiota.
In the face of viral infections, probiotics have been shown to be effective in fighting the virus and stimulating the immune system. Some research shows that they are useful in reducing respiratory and digestive symptoms.
To date, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of probiotics on COVID-19 or long-term COVID-19 making this study, one of the first of its kind, all the more relevant.
Recruitment for this research project is now complete. Thank you for your interest!
In the news and other media of interest
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Long-haul COVID, more prevelant than thought.*
A little know aspect of this pandemic is that which is refered to as long-haul COVID. Affecting persons who still present symptoms months after the initial infection . In French, with Dr. Piché, of our research team.*
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Other countries are treating COVID patients with probiotics and vitamin D — why aren’t we?
A clinical trial is underway in Quebec to see if probiotics can help reduce COVID-19 symptoms and lead to a faster recovery from the viral infection. While this sounds innovative, and is the first trial of its kind in Canada, doctors in China have been using probiotics alongside other COVID-19 treatments since the pandemic began.
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Post-COVID Conditions
Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.