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News Article
Study suggests coronavirus lingers in organs for months
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Data from a new study suggests that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can persist in different parts of the body for months after infection, including the heart and brain. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found the virus can spread widely from the respiratory tract to almost every other organ in the body and linger for months. The researchers described the study as the "most comprehensive analysis to date" of the virus's persistence throughout the body and brain. They performed autopsies on 44 patients who died either from or with COVID-19 to map and quantify virus distribution across the body. Daniel Chertow, principal investigator in the NIH’s emerging pathogens section, said along with his colleagues that RNA from the virus was found in patients up to 230 days after symptom onset. The findings, released in a pre-print manuscript, shed new light on patients who suffer from Long Covid. The study found that the virus had replicated across multiple organ systems even among patients with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19. While the "highest burden" of infection was in the lungs and airway, the study showed the virus can "disseminate early during infection and infect cells throughout the entire body,” including in the brain, as well as in ocular tissue, muscles, skin, peripheral nerves and tissues in the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine and lymphatic systems. "Our data support an early viremic phase, which seeds the virus throughout the body following pulmonary infection," the researchers wrote. Read full story Source: The Hill, 27 December 2021 -
Content ArticleThese information sheets by World Physiotherapy, the global body for physiotherapy member organisations, were produced for World Physiotherapy Day 2021, which focused on the role of physiotherapists in treating and managing people affected by Long Covid. Topics include: What is Long Covid? Rehabilitation and Long Covid Fatigue and post-exertional symptom exacerbation How to use pacing with your physiotherapist Breathing exercises The information sheets are also available in a variety of other languages.
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News ArticleNearly two years into the pandemic, people like me are still out of action. We need better support and more funding, writes Joanna Herman, consultant in infectious diseases in London. Joanna caught Covid in March 2020, and was by definition a “mild” case: not admitted to hospital and no risk factors for severe disease, but how it has affected her and her family is anything but mild. Having been fit and active, Joanna now finds that on bad days that she still struggle with everyday chores, and her usually quick-firing brain "remains in slo-mo ('brain fog')". For many months, it has felt as though long Covid has not been on the political agenda, but many people are still struggling with their everyday lives, and struggling to get the help they need. Why is long Covid not included in the daily statistics, or as one of the main incentives to avoid Omicron, and to get a vaccine and booster jab? It’s never mentioned, and it often feels as if sufferers don’t exist. Even if the new variant results in milder disease than previous ones, could more people still end up like Joanna? And how will an already stretched NHS cope if there are new cases of long Covid after this current viral surge? There’s a lot we still don’t know about Omicron; a fuller picture will become evident over the coming weeks and months... Read full story Source: The Guardian, 22 December 2021
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Content Article
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The Office for National Statistics estimates that in December 2021, 1.2 million people in the UK were living with Long Covid. Long Covid is a condition characterised by ongoing symptoms that last for months and even years after an initial Covid-19 infection. It is a difficult condition to diagnose, and nearly two years since it was first seen, medical understanding of Long Covid is still limited. People living with Long Covid often express frustration at misconceptions about the condition that are prevalent amongst medical professionals, policy makers and the general public. In this article, we highlight some of these myths, explain why they are inaccurate and describe the damage they can cause to people living with the condition. -
News Article
People hospitalised with COVID-19 are likely to face a limited recovery
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
People who were hospitalised with COVID-19 and continued to experience symptoms at five months show limited further recovery one year after hospital discharge, a key finding of the Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) has revealed. The NIHR/UKRI-funded study, led by the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, also confirmed that people who were less likely to make a full recovery from COVID-19 were female, obese, and required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) to support their breathing during their hospital stay. The study found that one year after hospital discharge, less than three in ten patients reported they felt fully recovered, largely unchanged from at five months. The most common ongoing symptoms were fatigue, muscle pain, physically slowing down, poor sleep and breathlessness. Participants felt their health-related quality of life remained substantially worse one year after hospital discharge, compared to pre-COVID. This suggests the physical and mental health impairments reported in the study are unlikely to be pre-existing conditions. Professor Chris Brightling said: “The PHOSP-COVID study is further evidence of the UK’s ability to combine expertise across both disease area and geography to rapidly gather data to help us understand the longer term implications of Long-COVID in hospitalised patients with persistent symptoms. Our findings show that people who were hospitalised and went on to develop Long-COVID are not getting substantially better a year after they were discharged from hospital. Many patients in our study had not fully recovered at five months and most of these reported little positive change in their health condition at one year. “When you consider that over half a million people in the UK have been admitted to hospital as a result of COVID-19, we are talking about a sizeable population at risk of persistent ill-health and reduced quality of life.” Read full story Source: National Institute for Health Research, 16 November 2021 -
Content ArticleIn this article for The Washington Post, Christopher Rowland speaks to Americans with Long Covid about the impact the condition has had on their health, lives and ability to work. He particularly focuses on the experience of Tiffany Patino, who has been left with debilitating symptoms and unable to work. As well as the financial impact of having no income, the article looks at the impact Long Covid has had on her mental health and ability to care for her young son. The author also highlights that health insurance companies are withdrawing support from people with Long Covid as there is little evidence around treatments, and suggests that employers need to take a more flexible approach to allow people with Long Covid to re-enter the labour market.
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Content Article
This is the second of a short series of blogs in which we take a look back at our work in five areas of patient safety during 2021. In this blog, we look at our work to highlight key patient and staff safety issues resulting from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Through our work, Patient Safety Learning seeks to harness the knowledge, insights, enthusiasm and commitment of health and social care organisations, professionals and patients for system-wide change and the reduction of avoidable harm. We believe patient safety is not just another priority; it is a core purpose of health and social care. Patient safety should not be negotiable. -
News Article
Doctor with Long Covid found to have multiple blood clots in his brain
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A doctor who became very unwell with COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic was later found to have multiple blood clots in his brain which could easily have killed him. Dr Ian Frayling started suffering with a "bone-cracking" fever, muscle pain and a "cough like no other" in March 2020, weeks before the national lockdown was announced by the UK and Welsh governments. His condition then took a turn for the worse when he started experiencing problems with his breathing and encountering such extreme brain fog that entire days would pass him by. The 62-year-old said his "frightening" range of symptoms, which also included irritable bowel syndrome, disruptive sleep and difficulty with coordination, persisted for many months and left him a fatigued shell of his former self. After sharing his story with WalesOnline 12 months ago, Dr Frayling was invited to meet the Senedd's health committee in March 2021 to give evidence of his battle with Long Covid. It led to a respiratory consultant reaching out to him and offering him a full clinical assessment at the University Hospital Llandough. Not only did she find problems with his heart and blood pressure, which were to be expected, but a referral for CT scans in May 2021 revealed that he was living with several blood clots in his brain which were very likely to be attributed to the after-effects of coronavirus. It meant suffering a catastrophic stroke was highly likely. After being given the deeply distressing news, Dr Frayling said his mind began turning to other people with Long Covid who may be experiencing similar neurological symptoms but are waiting many months to be referred to see a specialist doctor by their GP. "The consultant used her clinical skills and expertise [to properly assess me and give me a CT scan]. I'm one of the lucky ones. A GP can't directly send people off for these kind of tests, so there could be thousands of people with Long Covid, just like me, who aren't getting the help they need and are just being fobbed off." Read full story Source: Wales Online, 28 November 2021 -
Content Article
Post-COVID syndrome symptoms, functional disability, and clinical severity phenotypes in hospitalized and nonhospitalized individuals: A cross-sectional evaluation from a community COVID rehabilitation service (15 November 2021)
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Data, research and statistics
There is currently limited information on clinical severity phenotypes of symptoms and functional disability in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) Syndrome (PCS). A370 PCS patients from a dedicated community COVID-19 rehabilitation service was assessed using the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale where each symptom or functional difficulty was scored on a 0–10 Likert scale and also compared with before infection. Phenotypes based on symptom severity were extracted to identify any noticeable patterns. The correlation between symptom severity, functional disability, and overall health was explored. -
Content ArticleThis is the second of two dynamic reviews of the evidence around people’s experience of the enduring symptoms following a Covid-19 infection. The National Institute for Health Research published their first review of the evidence in October 2020. At the time there was uncertainty about the extent to which there could be lasting effects, and most people assumed a linear progression of a severe acute infection with a long recovery tail. The first review on “Living with Covid-19” was informed by the experience of professionals and the NIHR worked closely with a group of people with lived experience. This review focuses on the published evidence. In addition, it reports findings from a short survey of people living with Covid-19. With over 3,000 responses it provides an insight into the key issues and challenges for people living with Covid-19.
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News ArticleNHS bosses have warned the high prevalence of long Covid among staff is adding to rising healthcare pressures, amid growing concern that the new omicron variant could further drive infections and absences in the workforce. Some 40,000 (3.26%) of healthcare workers in the UK are estimated to have long Covid, according to the Office for National Statistics. This figure has risen by 5,000 since July. Many will be unable to work, though others are continuing to work despite their debilitating symptoms, experts say. “Trust leaders have told us they are concerned about the prevalence of long Covid amongst health and care staff,” said Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers. “Staff who are unwell need time to recover with support. But this may worsen unavoidable absences and sickness levels in the NHS at a time when pressures on the health service are mounting.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 9 December 2021
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Content ArticleThis analysis uses data from the Office for National Statistics UK Coronavirus (Covid-19) Infection Survey data to estimate the prevalence of self-reported Long Covid in the UK.
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Content ArticleThese resources from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh were developed following a study funded by the Chief Scientist Office in Scotland. The study was based on an online survey which people completed between July and August 2020, followed by a further survey six months later. Some participants also took part in a telephone interview to enhance understanding of their responses. The study used the responses of people living with Long Covid to: develop a resource with advice for people accessing services for Long Covid. write guidance for people providing services relevant to people with Long Covid. write recommendations to inform policy and service design that relate to Long Covid and other impacts of the pandemic. plan a series of short podcasts, interviewing people who have lived experience of Long Covid.
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Content ArticleThis article in Social Science and Medicine examines the role of patients in naming and defining Long Covid. Patients with the condition, many of whom had ‘mild’ illness initially, used different evidence and advocacy to demonstrate a longer, more complex course of illness than was laid out in initial reports from Wuhan.
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Content ArticlePoster from World Physiotherapy for World Physiotherapy Day 2021 highlighting the symptoms of Long Covid similar to ME/chronic fatigue syndrome which can worsen with exertion.
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Content ArticleIn this blog, Aleyah Babb-Benjamin, Outreach and Insight Manager at National Voices, shares insights from a Long Covid Webinar event that looked at how to develop a community-focussed response.
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EventuntilThis Westminster Forum is an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the NHS Long COVID plan for 2021/22, how to utilise funding set out for the expansion of services and management of Long COVID within primary care, the future outlook for Long COVID research, and the impact of new NIHR-funded projects. Key areas for discussion include: delivery of the Long COVID Plan and the utilisation of allocated funding priority areas for research to further improve understanding of Long COVID and the effectiveness of services developed for the condition care pathways within local health systems - leadership, implementation and commissioning, service development, rehabilitation, the impact of health inequalities, and integrating care Long COVID assessment clinics: - assessing progress and what more is needed to improve accessibility and support referrals from primary care - priorities for the development of services for children support for the health workforce - training and education priorities and sharing best practice in Long COVID care utilising data - scaling up its use and improving understanding of Long COVID and its prevalence involving patients - the development of Long COVID services, driving awareness of expanded online support, and improving equal accessibility to information. Agenda Register
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Content Article
Long Covid Support: Information leaflet
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Resources for patients
Long Covid can be difficult to diagnose, and some people might not realise their symptoms could be linked to prior COVID-19 infection. There can be more than 200 symptoms. Symptoms can affect anywhere in the body. Symptoms can come and go, and new ones can appear weeks or months later. People may not be aware they had Covid-19: some don’t have symptoms at the time of infection, and test results can be unreliable. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids have produced an information leaflet on the symptoms of Long Covid. -
Content Article
Hannah Hylton is a highly specialised respiratory physiotherapist at Barts Health NHS Trust. During the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, she was part of the team that designed the Trust’s after-Covid services, including the Living With Covid Recovery app. In this interview, Hannah explains how the app works and how it is being used by Trusts around the UK to support over 1,500 patients living with Long Covid. -
Content ArticleEach year, Carers UK carries out a survey of carers to understand the state of caring in the UK, and this is the largest State of Caring survey carried out by Carers UK to date. Over 8,500 carers and former carers shared their experiences.
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Content Article“As someone living with Long Covid…you want somebody to believe what you're going through.” Davine Forde National Voices held their event, Long Covid webinar event: A community-focused response, where they were joined by Davine Forde (Manchester BME Network CIC), Claire Hastie (Long Covid Support), Michael MacLennan (covid:aid) and Sammie Mcfarland (Long Covid Kids) in an enlightening panel discussion, focusing on the depth and breadth of dedication within the Long Covid community space. National Voices colleagues, Rachel Matthews (Head of Experience) and Keymn Whervin (Lived Experience Associate), also joined the event and spoke about the importance of getting people with lived experience in the room and at the heart of decision-making. Their focus on co-production highlighted a fantastic opportunity to harness the resourcefulness within our communities by working with people throughout decision-making processes.
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Content ArticleEpisode 09 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Claire Hastie. Claire became ill with Covid right at the start of the first wave in the UK and like so many others, is still suffering the effects of Long Covid. She started the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook in early May 2020. Claire talks about her experiences, how the group came to be and what they are fighting for.
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Content ArticleFinding solutions to long covid will require new ways of thinking across clinical services and research, says in this BMJ Opinion article.
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Content ArticleWhile it is now apparent that Long Covid may persist after acute COVID-19, its nature, frequency and aetiology are poorly characterised. This study from MicHelen et al. aimed to regularly synthesise evidence on long COVID characteristics, to help inform clinical management, rehabilitation strategies and interventional studies to improve long-term outcomes. The authors conclude that Long Covid is a complex condition with prolonged heterogeneous symptoms. The nature of studies precludes a precise case definition or risk evaluation. There is an urgent need for prospective, robust, standardised, controlled studies into aetiology, risk factors and biomarkers to characterise long COVID in different at-risk populations and settings.
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Content ArticleThis briefing paper by World Physiotherapy provides guidance to enable physiotherapists to offer safe and effective rehabilitation in people living with Long Covid.
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