Nearly four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are still working tirelessly to uncover the causes of long COVID and develop effective treatments. Recent data from the Census Bureau indicates that nearly one in four adults who contracted COVID-19 suffered from long COVID symptoms.
Although anyone infected with COVID-19 can develop long COVID, the condition is more prevalent in individuals who experienced severe COVID-19 symptoms, as well as in women, older adults, those with underlying health conditions, and those who did not receive vaccinations, according to the Washington State Health Department. Additionally, individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 multiple times may face an elevated risk of experiencing long COVID symptoms.
Analysis of Census Bureau data reveals the rate of adults experiencing COVID-19 symptoms for three months or longer. States with the highest rates of reported long COVID symptoms included Oklahoma and Montana, where about 34% of adults reported lingering symptoms in November. Conversely, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama had the lowest rates of booster vaccine administration in the country, at 6.8%, 7.7%, and 7.7% respectively, and at least a quarter of adults in these states reported long COVID symptoms after being infected.
As of May 2023, approximately 70% of the U.S. population had received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, but only 17% had received a booster shot. With most Americans having received their last shot over a year ago, their immunity will have likely faded, leaving them at risk of experiencing more severe symptoms if infected with COVID-19.
It is important to note that the current COVID-19 vaccine does not prevent all infections, but it does reduce the severity of illness and the risk of developing long COVID, where symptoms may persist for months or even years after the initial infection has resolved.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health identified symptoms that are most distinctive to long COVID, including fatigue, cognitive difficulties, gastrointestinal issues, heart palpitations, and abnormal movements. These findings shed light on the multifaceted impact long COVID can have on individuals’ health and well-being long after their initial infection.