Core Concepts
Millions may have long COVID without positive test results.
Abstract
The content discusses the potential underestimation of long COVID cases due to testing limitations. Researchers found that many individuals with symptoms of long COVID did not test positive for COVID-19 but showed immune responses consistent with prior exposure. The study highlights the importance of providing clinical care to patients with post-viral syndrome, even without a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
Key Highlights:
- Long COVID cases may be vastly underestimated.
- Patients with symptoms but no positive test show immune responses.
- Delayed care due to lack of confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
- Post-viral syndrome patients deserve clinical care and inclusion in research.
Stats
"We estimate that millions of people got COVID in the US during the first year of the pandemic and then developed long COVID, yet they did not get a positive COVID diagnosis because of testing limitations." - Igor J. Koralnik, MD
"Our data suggest that at least 4 million people with post-viral syndrome similar to long COVID may indeed have detectable immune responses to support a COVID diagnosis." - Igor J. Koralnik, MD
Quotes
"Patients with post-viral syndrome often present with similar clinical manifestations as confirmed patients with Neuro-PASC, suggesting that a positive result by commercially available SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test should not be a prerequisite for accessing care." - Igor J. Koralnik, MD