Many people are experiencing long Covid, which refers to the lingering symptoms that persist after recovering from a Covid-19 infection. These symptoms can range from hair loss and fatigue to anxiety and heart palpitations. Long Covid is a parallel pandemic that is receiving less attention than acute Covid-19 cases. The effects of long Covid can impact various organ systems in the body, making personalized treatment challenging. It is crucial to understand the biological origins of long Covid and develop biomarkers to predict and manage the condition. The prevalence of long Covid highlights the need to investigate other post-viral infection syndromes.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Covid Effects | From acute Covid-19 to long-lasting symptoms | Improved understanding, personalized treatments | Urgency to help suffering individuals |
| Diverse Effects on the Body | Impact on multiple organ systems | Increased knowledge of specific endotypes and biomarkers | Need for biological origins and better treatments |
| Prevalence of Long Covid | Wake-up call to investigate other syndromes | More research into post-acute infection syndromes | Recognition of long-term consequences of infections |
| Biological Origins of Long Covid | Multiple causes including persistent virus, autoimmunity, dysbiosis, and tissue damage | Targeted treatments based on specific cause | Need for identification and understanding of disease origins |
| Long Covid Treatment | Antivirals, immunosuppressives, biologics, changes in microbiome | Development of targeted therapies and interventions | Addressing specific causes and symptoms |
| Long Covid Prevention | Early treatment, vaccination within 12 weeks | Reduced likelihood of developing long Covid | Mitigating disease outcomes through early intervention |
| Mitigation Measures | Maintaining precautionary measures | Layering protective measures to reduce risk | Prioritizing health and prevention of long Covid |