SARS-CoV-2 and Long-term Implications: A Research Review
Since 2020, it is estimated that over 600 million people globally have been infected with SARS-CoV-2(1). With the increasing number of infections, there are emerging trends of some individuals who do not improve, showing symptoms even after the acute infection has resolved. These cases have been termed “long haulers”, with the multi-system lingering symptoms now known as long-covid. Currently, 1 in 20 Australians experience symptoms three months post-infection(2), and this figure is expected to increase.
With research continuously developing, we now have a significantly different understanding of the virus since the start of the pandemic. In this seminar, the latest developments and understanding of SARS-CoV-2 will be discussed, with emerging evidence on Post–COVID-19 conditions (PCC), also known as long covid.
We will explore how our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 has changed since the beginning of the pandemic. Variants of concern will be discussed, along with the emerging evidence surrounding reinfections.
Topics covered will include:
* The key role of innate immunity in health, and the defence mechanisms within the body when posed with a viral threat.
* The mechanisms behind key symptomatology and risk factors of PCC or long COVID.
* Herbs, nutrients, dietary, and lifestyle interventions to support immune health and wellbeing.
1. WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. 2022. Available from: https://covid19.who.int/
2. UNSW Sydney. One in 20 COVID-19 cases report long-term symptoms. 2021. Available from: https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/health/one-20-covid-19-cases-report-long-term-symptoms
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