Researchers highlight the need for further study into why some people still experience persistent COVID symptoms.
A new study reveals that most young people with persistent COVID-19 symptoms no longer report them two years later.
The research examines how many teenagers continue to suffer from fatigue and other issues months and years after infection.
Study Details and Findings
Researchers surveyed over 12,600 teens in England aged 11 to 17. They asked about symptoms three, six, 12, and 24 months after a COVID-19 positive test between September 2020 and March 2021.
Long COVID, or “post-COVID-19 condition,” was defined as having persistent symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, or trouble sleeping. It also included problems related to mobility, self-care, pain, or mental health concerns.
Nearly 1,000 teens provided updates on their symptoms across all four time points.
- Three months after testing positive, about 25% fit the researchers’ definition of long COVID.
- After a year, 10% fit the definition.
- After two years, about 7% still fit the definition.
In total, 68 young people still reported symptoms two years after their initial infection. Most reported five to six ongoing symptoms, including tiredness, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, and headaches.
Broader Context and Ongoing Questions
The findings were published in Nature Communications Medicine on Wednesday. The research was funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research and development at the VA St Louis Health Care System, commented that the findings align with patterns in adults. He added that many people recover, but some experience long COVID for years after infection.
“It is important to study long COVID in children and young adults,” Al-Aly told Euronews Health.
Research from June last year estimated that 36 million people across Europe and parts of Central Asia may have experienced long COVID since the pandemic began.
Challenges and Next Steps
The study had limitations. Symptoms were self-reported, and the initial PCR results came before the Delta and Omicron waves dominated.
Researchers also found gender differences. Females were nearly twice as likely as males to experience long COVID after two years. Older teens and those from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds were also less likely to recover.
Sir Terence Stephenson, the study’s lead investigator, said the findings offer hope. “The majority of teenagers recovered within two years,” he stated. However, he added that further research is necessary to understand why some teens still struggle with long COVID.
Dr Nathan Cheetham from King’s College London emphasized that long COVID disproportionately affects disadvantaged groups. He pointed to the need to address social determinants of health, such as poor housing and unequal healthcare access.
Al-Aly and other experts agree. “We need more research to prevent and treat long COVID, especially among children and young adults,” he added. Further studies should focus on how long COVID affects children’s development and educational achievements.
