More than two million people in England may have suffered from a long Covid, according to a huge government study.
He found that a third of those who caught the virus reported symptoms for at least 12 weeks.
An expert involved in the study said the results “paint a worrying picture of the long-term health consequences” of Covid.
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While vaccines have dramatically reduced the death rate, cases are currently increasing rapidly amid fears Britain is in a ‘third wave’.
And the results of the REACT-2 study will only underscore the importance of getting bitten.
“Long Covid can have a lasting and debilitating impact on the lives of those affected,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
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“Studies like this help us rapidly develop our understanding of the impact of the disease and we are using these findings and other new research to develop support and treatments.”
The government has now made £ 50million in research funds available to improve treatment.
The study is based on self-reported data from 508,707 adults aged 18 and older who participated in REACT-2 cycles 3 to 5 performed between September 2020 and February 2021.
A total of 508,707 adults participated in the study. They self-reported data, such as symptoms, between September 2020 and February 2021.
About a fifth of people reported having symptoms of Covid, and more than a third reported persistent symptoms that lasted at least 12 weeks.
About a tenth of people with symptoms said they lasted at least 12 weeks and were severe.
He also revealed that the older you are, the more likely you are to develop a long Covid.
It is also more common in women, smokers, overweight or obese people, and those who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods or have been hospitalized.
Professor Paul Elliott, director of the REACT program at Imperial, said: “Our results paint a worrying picture of the long-term health consequences of Covid, which need to be factored into policy and planning.
“Long Covid is still poorly understood, but we hope, through our research, to be able to contribute to a better identification and management of this disease, which, according to our data and that of others, could ultimately affect millions of people in the United Kingdom. Uni only.
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“People with symptoms that persisted at 12 weeks fell into two large groups. In the first, the most common symptom was fatigue and muscle pain. In the second, the most common symptoms were shortness of breath affecting activities. normal, chest tightness and chest pain, with more people reporting severe symptoms. “
And Health Minister Lord Bethell added: ‘We are learning more about the long Covid every day. Surveillance programs like REACT-2 are absolutely essential in advancing our understanding of the long-term impacts of Covid.
“We are fully committed to supporting innovative research projects on the long Covid. They add to our understanding and help us develop better treatments to make sure people get the support they need. “
The study was based on self-reported data and because many symptoms are common and not specific to Covid, it may overestimate the prevalence of symptoms that persist after Covid.