Urgent Warning for Those Recovered from Covid in the Last Two Years
A dire alert has been issued by experts to individuals who have experienced Covid in the past two years.
New research reveals that individuals who have contracted the virus face an increased risk of death for a period of up to two years after the initial infection. Given the prevalence of Covid cases among most Britons since the pandemic's inception, including instances of repeat infection, the implications are significant.
Despite the UK's extensive vaccination campaign offering a degree of protection, US scientists have conveyed that individuals who have previously contracted the virus face a greater mortality risk compared to those who haven't. Published in Nature Medicine, a recent study underscores that individuals hospitalized due to Covid are subject to a heightened risk of death even two years after the initial infection.
Moreover, this demographic encounters elevated threats of severe health conditions like lung disease, diabetes, persistent fatigue, and long-term Covid symptoms. The study indicates that the risk of death diminishes after two years post-infection.
For individuals who didn't require hospitalization due to the virus, the risk of significant mortality diminishes within six months. However, this doesn't absolve them from potentially experiencing various adverse effects, including cardiovascular problems, blood clotting complications, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, and kidney disorders.
Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the study's author from Washington University, emphasized that Covid's impact persists within the body. He noted, "Covid did not forget about you. It’s still wreaking havoc in your body."
The study analyzed medical records of nearly 140,000 US veterans diagnosed with Covid during the early stages of the pandemic. Their health data was juxtaposed against almost six million individuals who hadn't been identified as infected. Importantly, the study underscores that most veterans are older males.
This warning coincides with the emergence of a new Covid variant, BA2.86, which follows the EG5.1 or 'Eris' variant. As Eris accounts for about 15% of cases in the UK, concerns arise regarding the recent uptick in cases. The potential correlation between this surge and unfavorable weather conditions driving indoor gatherings without adequate ventilation is being considered.