A new study finds most teens no longer suffer from long COVID symptoms two years after infection.
Researchers emphasize the need for more information about why some individuals still experience persistent COVID symptoms.
Findings from the Study
Most young people who had persistent COVID symptoms no longer report them two years after infection.
The study aimed to estimate how many teenagers still deal with fatigue and other issues months and years later.
Researchers surveyed over 12,600 teens in England aged 11 to 17. They asked about symptoms at three, six, 12, and 24 months post-positive test.
The team defined long COVID as having one or more ongoing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, or headaches. They also included mobility issues, difficulty in self-care, pain, and feelings of anxiety or sadness.
Nearly 1,000 teens provided symptom updates across all four time points.
Three months after infection, 25% met the study’s definition of long COVID.
After a year, 10% fit the definition. By two years, only 7% still met the criteria.
In total, 68 teenagers had persistent symptoms two years post-infection. These teens consistently reported five or six symptoms during the study.
The most common symptoms were tiredness, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, and headaches.
The findings were published in Nature Communications Medicine on Wednesday. The study was funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Ziyad Al-Aly, a researcher at the VA St. Louis Health Care System in the US, shared insights about the study with Euronews Health. He noted that these findings align with data from the adult population, emphasizing long COVID’s persistence in some individuals.
Al-Aly added that children and young adults have experienced long COVID less extensively studied than adults.
In June of last year, it was estimated that 36 million people in Europe and Central Asia may have experienced long COVID since the pandemic began.
Challenges and Further Research
The new study has limitations. For one, symptoms were self-reported. Additionally, initial PCR tests were from an earlier wave of COVID, predating the Delta and Omicron variants.
Females were nearly twice as likely to experience long COVID symptoms two years post-infection compared to males.
Older teens and those in deprived socio-economic areas were less likely to recover fully.
Sir Terence Stephenson, the study’s lead investigator and professor at University College London, commented on the findings.
He said most teenagers who met the definition of long COVID three months post-infection had recovered by two years. However, further research will explore why 68 teens still suffer symptoms.
Other researchers, like Dr. Nathan Cheetham from King’s College London, noted that health disparities affect long COVID risk. Cheetham added that disadvantaged groups are more likely to face prolonged health impacts.
He emphasized the need to address underlying issues like housing conditions and unequal access to healthcare.
Al-Aly stressed the importance of ongoing research to better prevent and treat long COVID.
He added that scientists should study the effects of long COVID on children’s development, education, and long-term health.