A common virus could nearly quadruple odds of back problems

Key Points:

• A study by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada found that adults with two COVID-19 infections had a 76% higher chance of receiving a new medical diagnosis, including increased risks of back problems and respiratory issues.
• Individuals with lingering COVID symptoms for three months or longer were more than three times as likely to receive a new diagnosis, with risks concentrated among older adults, smokers, those with obesity, disabilities, or pre-existing health conditions.
• Adults not fully vaccinated before their first COVID infection had higher odds of new medical conditions such as cardiovascular issues and high blood pressure, aligning with known high-risk groups for severe COVID outcomes.
• Researchers caution that these findings indicate relative risk increases rather than absolute risks, and suggest that frequent medical visits by those with severe or prolonged symptoms may lead to more diagnoses, including possibly undiagnosed conditions.
• With COVID cases rising in many U.S. states and the upcoming cold and flu season, experts recommend that high-risk groups update vaccinations and that individuals with persistent post-COVID symptoms seek medical evaluation rather than attributing symptoms solely to the virus.