LONDON: The phenomenon known as 鈥渓ong COVID鈥� could be a combination of four different syndromes affecting the body at the same time, according to a study by the UK鈥檚 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). 

鈥淟ong COVID鈥� refers to people suffering from recurring symptoms months after they first contracted the virus. The NIHR study said some 60,000 people could be living with 鈥渓ong COVID鈥� in the UK.

Researchers say those still suffering from symptoms after seven months of infection could be under the grip of post-viral fatigue syndrome, post-intensive care syndrome, permanent organ damage and long-term COVID syndrome.

There is no evidence to suggest that children are exempt from 鈥渓ong COVID,鈥� or that people who were asymptomatic or avoided serious health problems with the virus will not suffer the long-term complications. The symptoms of 鈥渓ong COVID鈥� include 鈥渂rain fog,鈥� stress and anxiety.

The study鈥檚 author Dr. Elaine Maxwell said patients can experience a 鈥渞ollercoaster of symptoms鈥� that 鈥渕ove around the body.鈥� 

She added: 鈥淭he list of symptoms is huge and covers every part of the body and brain. We believe that the term 鈥榣ong COVID鈥� is being used as a capsule for more than one syndrome, possibly up to four. People without a clear diagnosis told us they鈥檙e often not believed by health services.鈥�

She said there 鈥渁re people who never had any support in hospital, never had a test, have no record of ever having had COVID, except their own personal history. They may be suffering far more than somebody who was ventilated for several weeks.鈥�

Maxwell added that the number of people with long-term COVID-19 symptoms is likely to increase amid the return of heavy hospitalizations and a 鈥渟econd spike鈥� of infections.