Covid-19 survivors at a higher risk of chronic fatigue syndrome, study finds; check out symptoms

Covid-19 continues to affect our lives long after the pandemic is over. While the existing Covid infections cause mostly mild illness, the impact of previous deadlier strains on our bodies persists in the form of long Covid. A recent study has found that Covid-19 survivors face an increased risk of

chronic fatigue syndrome

, a condition where a person experiences intense fatigue despite taking sufficient rest.

What the new study says

The study done by researchers of University of Utah Health and published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine utilizes information from the National Institute of Health’s Researching Covid to Enhance Recovery Initiative which has 11,785 patents who were infected with Covid-19 and 1,439 who were not.
Researchers conducted the study using self-reported symptoms and comorbidities recorded quarterly, diagnosing ME/CFS based on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) criteria, which require six months or more of persistent fatigue, post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive or orthostatic symptoms. Symptom severity was evaluated through specific questionnaires, including cognitive assessments.

Four distinct symptom clusters were identified in participants with PASC, ranging from mild to severe. The most severe group, Cluster 4, exhibited symptoms closely resembling ME/CFS, including severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive impairment, with most ME/CFS cases found in this cluster.
To reduce bias, statistical methods like propensity score matching were applied, and ME/CFS incidence rates were calculated by comparing new diagnoses in infected individuals to matched uninfected controls.

It has found that 4.5% of those infected with Covid-19 developed myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, while only 0.6% if the uninfected developed the disease. This points towards Covid’s role in development of the illness.
Also the incidence rate among the acutely infected individuals per 100 person-years was 2.66, which was also a lot higher than the rate of 0.93 observed among the uninfected participants.
Post-exertional malaise was the most common symptom among infected individuals, reported by 24% of participants. Other prevalent symptoms included cognitive impairment, unrefreshing sleep, and fatigue, consistent with ME/CFS diagnostic criteria. Symptom prevalence was significantly higher in post-acute cases compared to acute cases, emphasizing the progressive nature of post-infectious symptoms.

89 percent of people diagnosed with post-Covid chronic fatigue syndrome were also categorized as having long Covid, with the majority assigned to PASC Cluster 4, the most symptomatic subgroup.
The study found a fourfold increase in the risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome in people who had SARS-CoV-2 infections compared to uninfected individuals.

What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome can be caused by an acute infection, like Covid-19. Myalgic encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome causes severe fatigue which doesn’t improve with rest. The condition can also effect your focus, day to day activities, lead to sleep issues, dizziness, and pain, apart from many other symptoms. It is difficult to diagnose the condition as there is no test for it.
People affected with the disorder may not look sick but they are unable to do normal activities. It can get worse by any straining physical or mental activity. About 1 in 4 people with chronic fatigue syndrome are confined to bed at some point in their illness.

What is long Covid?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is becoming common among long Covid patients, which means its symptoms can stretch to several weeks, months or even years post the infection. Long Covid is a long-lasting, chronic condition triggered by the Covid-19 virus. Long Covid is linked to more than 200 symptoms. They may stay the same over time, get worse, or go away and come back.

What are the common symptoms of long Covid?

Extreme tiredness, especially after activity, problems with memory, often called brain fog, a feeling of being lightheaded or dizzy, and problems with taste or smell are among common

long Covid symptoms

. Sleep problems, cough, headache, irregular beats, and digestive issues are others. Covid-19 can also cause heart issues, mood disorders, anxiety, stroke, blood clots, and diabetes among other conditions.

Why it causes long Covid?

While researchers cannot conclusively say what causes long Covid, but there are some theories around it. The virus that causes Covid-19 fiddles with immune system communication which could lead immune cells to mistake the body’s own cells as a threat and react to them, called an autoimmune reaction. It has also been postulated that Covid-19 awakens viruses that haven’t been cleared out of the body. The virus may be able to survive in the gut and can spread from there. The virus can damage communication in the brain stem or a nerve that controls automatic functions in the body, called the vagus nerve.

Lifestyle changes to improve chronic fatigue

1. Prioritize sleep: Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and create a calming bedtime routine.
2. Balanced diet: Focus on whole foods, including protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
3. Gentle exercise: Engage in low-impact activities like yoga or walking to boost energy.
4. Stress management: Practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce emotional fatigue.
5. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to support energy levels and overall health.
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