London scientists have discovered that people may experience “long colds”, with symptoms including coughing and stomach pain lasting for more than a month after infection.
Researchers at Queen Mary’s University of London (QMUL) found that respiratory infections such as colds, flu and pneumonia could have long-lasting health impacts that go undetected due to a lack of awareness among patients.
The team compared the prevalence and severity of long-term symptoms in patients following an episode of Covid with an episode of another acute respiratory infection that tested negative for Covid.
Those recovering from Covid were more likely to experience light-headedness or dizziness and problems with taste and smell compared to those who had a non-Covid respiratory infection.
However, patients suffering from a non-Covid respiratory infection reported symptoms including coughing, stomach pain, and diarrhoea more than 4 weeks after the initial infection.
While the severity of an illness was a key driver of risk of developing long-term symptoms, researchers said that more evidence would be needed to establish why some people suffer extended symptoms while others do not.
The study analysed data from 10,171 British adults, with responses collected via questionnaires and statistical analysis carried out to identify symptom clusters.
Researchers do not yet have evidence to suggest that “long cold” symptoms have the same severity or duration as long Covid.
The NHS defines long Covid as a condition in which symptoms of the virus last longer than 12 weeks.
An estimated two million people reported symptoms of long Covid in January 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Fatigue was the most commonly reported symptom (71 per cent), followed by a difficulty concentrating (52 per cent) and shortness of breath (48 per cent).
The findings come as part of the QMUL’s COVIDENCE study, which has been investigating the long-term health impacts of the virus since 2020.
Giulia Vivaldi, researcher on COVIDENCE UK from QMUL and the lead author of the study, said that a “lack of awareness” of respiratory conditions was preventing reporting and diagnosis.
“These ‘long’ infections are so difficult to diagnose and treat primarily because of a lack of diagnostic tests and there being so many possible symptoms. There have been more than 200 investigated for long Covid alone.”
Professor Adrian Martineau, Chief Investigator of COVIDENCE UK and Clinical Professor of Respiratory Infection and QMUL, said: “Our findings may chime with the experience of people who have struggled with prolonged symptoms after having a respiratory infection despite testing negative for Covid-19 on a nose or throat swab.”
“Ultimately this could help us to identify the most appropriate form of treatment and care for affected people.”
