{"id":33808,"date":"2023-09-16T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-16T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/6505ce9b-743e-4491-9035-071c151682f6"},"modified":"2023-09-16T19:46:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-16T17:46:13","slug":"before-we-had-long-covid-was-there-long-sars-a-doctor-explains","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/before-we-had-long-covid-was-there-long-sars-a-doctor-explains\/","title":{"rendered":"Before we had long COVID, was there long SARS? A doctor explains"},"content":{"rendered":"

A doctor explains the post-viral impact of the respiratory viruses, SARS and COVID-19. <\/p>

By Dr Nish Manek\n <\/p>

Published: Saturday, 16 September 2023 at 17:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The SARS epidemic of 2002-2004, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), affected over 8,000\u00a0people\u00a0globally. Research into the long-term effects of SARS has been done, although the number of studies and participants is limited compared to COVID-19. <\/p>

Some documented complications from SARS include reduced lung function<\/a>, persistent cough and exercise intolerance.\u00a0Some people\u00a0also went on to experience physical weakness<\/a>, fatigue<\/a> and musculoskeletal<\/a> issues.\u00a0<\/p>

However the term \u2018long\u00a0SARS\u2019 hasn\u2019t gained the same recognition as \u2018long COVID<\/a>\u2019. The concept of long COVID refers to the persistent symptoms experienced by some people after recovering from COVID-19. The symptoms can range from fatigue, brain fog and shortness of breath to joint pain and organ dysfunction.<\/p>

While long COVID has received a lot of attention and research, the term \u2018long\u00a0SARS\u2019 isn\u2019t commonly used to describe similar long-term effects associated with SARS survivors. The SARS epidemic occurred over a decade before the COVID-19 pandemic and the research landscape has evolved significantly since then. <\/p>

The increased focus on long COVID has led to a greater recognition of the long-term effects of viral respiratory illnesses, and the need for further investigation into their mechanisms and potential treatments.<\/p>

Continued research efforts are needed to better understand and support the health and well-being of\u00a0people\u00a0who have survived viral respiratory illnesses like SARS. For now, it\u2019s difficult to make the same comparison to long COVID, although research does suggest that\u00a0people\u00a0have experienced some long-term symptoms, particularly fatigue.\u00a0<\/p>

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>