People who have suffered a recent respiratory infection may be susceptible to ‘long colds’ similar to long Covid, according to a new study. 

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London suggest there could be long-lasting health impacts following colds, influenza or pneumonia, but that they are currently unrecognised.

Common symptoms of a ‘long cold’ include coughing, stomach pain and diarrhea more than four weeks after the initial infection. 

The team said that while the severity of an illness appears to be a key driver of risk of long-term symptoms, more research is being carried out to establish why some people continue to suffer but others do not.

However, the results do not suggest that long colds have the same severity or duration as long Covid, which can last more than three months and lead to depression, anxiety and brain fog alongside extreme fatigue and shortness of breath.

The study analysed data from more than 10,000 UK adults, comparing the recovery of those with Covid versus a non-Covid acute respiratory infection.

While those with Covid were more likely to experience light-headedness or dizziness and problems with taste and smell, the study highlighted the secondary effects of other, similar infections.

‘Our findings shine a light not only on the impact of long Covid on people’s lives, but also other respiratory infections,’ said lead author Giulia Vivaldi. ‘A lack of awareness – or even the lack of a common term – prevents both reporting and diagnosis of these conditions.

‘As research into long Covid continues, we need to take the opportunity to investigate and consider the lasting effects of other acute respiratory infections.

‘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.’

The study was part of the Covidence UK project, and funded by Barts Charity.

‘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 on a nose or throat swab,’ said Professor Adrian Martineau, Covidence UK chief investigator.

‘Ongoing research into the long-term effects of Covid and other acute respiratory infections is important because it can help us to get to the root of why some people experience more prolonged symptoms than others. 

‘Ultimately this could help us to identify the most appropriate form of treatment and care for affected people.’

The study is published in The Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine.

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