Severe COVID-19 linked to reactivation of some dormant viruses: Study

Key Points:

• A study involving 1,154 hospitalized COVID-19 patients found that severe COVID-19 can reactivate 11 different dormant viruses, including several herpes viruses and Anelloviridae, within 40 days of hospital admission.
• Reactivation of Anelloviridae was linked to long-term physical disability and long COVID, while Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus reactivated in response to inflammation rather than immune suppression.
• Researchers caution that the study shows an association but does not prove that viral reactivation causes long COVID or long-term disability, and findings may not apply to mild or moderate COVID-19 cases.
• Experts emphasize the need for further research to understand the role of reactivated viruses in COVID-19 severity and long-term outcomes, with potential implications for diagnostics and treatments.
• Despite the pandemic easing, ongoing infections and long COVID cases highlight the importance of vaccination for vulnerable groups and continued research into COVID-19 prevention and management.