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Blood Markers of Long COVID Identified

Stopping Long COVID

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Long COVID has left millions with ongoing fatigue, cognitive issues, heart rate and blood pressure variation, and other debilitating symptoms. Recent findings reported in the journal Nature may help scientists develop a blood test to diagnose the illness. The study involved a cross section of 268 individuals—152 with long COVID and 116 without it as a control group. 

 

Blood testing revealed significant differences between the two test groups. Long COVID patients exhibited irregularities in the activity of immune system T cells and B cells that help fight off germs, as well as significantly lower levels of cortisol, a hormone that helps people feel alert and awake. Dormant viruses, such as Epstein-Barr that causes mononucleosis, were activated in the long COVID patients.

 

While the scientists did not find significant evidence that long COVID was the result of an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks itself, they suggested future studies would be needed to identify immune system problems. They also recommended further inquiry to understand cortisol’s role in long COVID and to determine whether dormant viruses are causing symptoms. Long COVID affects one in 13 Americans, according to a survey  by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In-Print National Content Global and Health Briefs Health Brief January 2024
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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