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Lengthy Common Colds vs. Long COVID: Distinctive and Shared Symptoms Explored

Long-Term Colds versus Long-Term COVID-19: Symptom Comparison and Overlaps

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3 min read
Long-Term Cold Symptoms vs. Long-Term COVID-19 Symptoms: A Comparison of Symptoms
Long-Term Cold Symptoms vs. Long-Term COVID-19 Symptoms: A Comparison of Symptoms

Lengthy Common Colds vs. Long COVID: Distinctive and Shared Symptoms Explored

In the ongoing battle against various respiratory infections, a growing concern has emerged: the long-term health impacts of these illnesses. While the spotlight has primarily been on long COVID, recent research suggests that other acute respiratory infections, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), may also have long-lasting consequences that are often going unrecognized.

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, notes that acute viral infections, including influenza, can initiate a prolonged inflammatory response. This response, he explains, can lead to a variety of health complications, including fibrosis—tissue scarring and decreased elasticity in organs like the lungs—which can result in long-term dysfunction.

In comparison, long COVID is characterized by a broad range of symptoms that can persist or reemerge over weeks to months after initial infection. These symptoms often include fatigue, cognitive impairment ("brain fog"), respiratory symptoms, cardiovascular issues, and multi-organ effects. Long COVID occurs in a substantial proportion of COVID-19 patients, including some with mild initial illness, and is associated with systemic inflammation and tissue damage, sometimes involving fibrosis.

While long COVID shares some features with post-acute non-COVID respiratory illness sequelae—especially fibrosis and long-term lung impact—it uniquely involves a wider range of long-lasting systemic symptoms and affects a broader patient demographic, even after mild initial illness. The key differences between the two are outlined in the table below:

| Aspect | Non-COVID Acute Respiratory Illnesses | Long COVID | |--------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | Symptom Range | Primarily respiratory symptoms and sequelae (e.g., fibrosis) | Multi-system symptoms affecting respiratory, neurological, cardiac, and other systems[1] | | Duration and Course | Usually resolves in weeks to months; chronic issues mainly in severe cases[5] | Symptoms can persist, resolve, and reemerge over many months; can affect mild cases too[1] | | At-Risk Populations | Immunocompromised, those with chronic diseases, elderly[2] | Similar at-risk groups, plus females, unvaccinated individuals[1] | | Pathophysiology | Mainly lung tissue damage and inflammation leading to fibrosis[4][5] | Wound healing and fibrosis plus systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation[4] | | Prevalence | Less common long-term sequelae; more studied in past pandemics[5] | Affects millions globally; significant public health concern[1] |

It's important to note that people who experience an acute respiratory infection but test negative for COVID-19 may also experience "long colds" and a similar burden of symptoms as those experiencing long COVID. Researchers have identified that long-term symptoms from other acute respiratory infections may be going unnoticed, raising the question of whether there are people living with post-illness symptoms due to other acute respiratory infections who are being missed.

Determining how many people live with lingering symptoms following non-COVID acute respiratory illness is difficult due to a lack of clear definition surrounding what constitutes "long cold" symptoms. According to Dr. Dean Blumberg, a pediatric infectious disease expert, like long COVID, there is no test to diagnose lingering symptoms for other acute respiratory infections.

However, an ever-increasing understanding of long COVID could benefit people living with other lingering conditions. Both types of illness were associated with a range of long-term symptoms, including taste and smell problems, light headedness, dizziness, coughing, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The prolonged inflammatory response may be at least partially responsible for post-influenza health risks such as heart attacks and stroke.

In conclusion, while the focus on long COVID has shed light on the long-term health impacts of acute respiratory infections, it has also raised questions about the prevalence and recognition of similar conditions resulting from other respiratory viruses. As research continues, it's crucial to remain vigilant and supportive of those affected by these lingering health issues.

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