A Canadian study has warned that COVID-19 is not only dangerous in terms of initial symptoms, but may also increase the likelihood of new illnesses being diagnosed, especially among those who have been infected more than once.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Canada recently reported an increasing number of people seeking emergency medical care due to COVID-19, and that infections are rising across the country. As infections surge, research published in the Canada Communicable Disease Report found a link between the virus and the likelihood of receiving a new medical diagnosis.
After analyzing data from 8,809 adults between April 2022 and June 2023, researchers concluded that repeated COVID-19 infections increase the likelihood of a new diagnosis. Those who were infected twice were 76% more likely to receive a new diagnosis, with a fourfold increased likelihood of new back problems and a fivefold increased likelihood of new respiratory diagnoses. Those who were infected once had a 63% increased likelihood, while this increased to more than three times for those whose symptoms persisted for three months or more.
Researchers believe that those experiencing prolonged or severe symptoms visit doctors more often than others, increasing the likelihood of being diagnosed with a condition unrelated to their original illness. They also suggest that prolonged symptoms may be caused by an undiagnosed condition, in a pattern of reverse causation. New diagnoses were more prevalent among older adults, as well as smokers, those with obesity, disabilities, or at least one chronic health condition. The study also found that adults who were not fully vaccinated before their initial infection were more likely to receive a new medical diagnosis, such as cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
The researchers emphasize that the results do not imply an absolute risk of contracting the disease or discovering a new health condition, but rather represent the probability of one group (those who have had COVID twice) receiving a new diagnosis compared to another group.
Earlier this summer, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin released a study indicating that COVID-19 can reactivate dormant viruses that were lying dormant inside the bodies of unvaccinated people who were otherwise healthy, including the Epstein-Barr virus and other members of the herpes family.
With the peak of the COVID season approaching and the potential for increased infections, experts recommend that high-risk groups ensure their vaccinations are up to date. Those who have been infected twice and are experiencing persistent symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or chest pain are also advised to discuss these with their doctor rather than attributing them solely to COVID-19.
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