More than a year after the first reported cases of COVID-19, a quest for better understanding of infection manifestation and immune response remains.More importantly, with millions infected worldwide, the pathophysiology of ‘post-COVID-19 syndrome’ or ‘COVID-19 long-haulers’, is still unknown. The various symptoms linger long after the acute phase of infection, whose effects may be long term. Clinical and pathological overlap exists between post-viral ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and post-COVID-19 syndrome. A post-viral fatigue syndrome and if untreated, subsequent ME/CFS, could result from a wide range of viral infections, which includes infections with COVID-19. The post-viral fatigue in part, could be a manifestation of interconnected alterations in microbial, and host antioxidant defense systems.
The objectives of this study are:
The global burden due to post-COVID-19 syndrome could be immense, due to ongoing immune activation and long-term implications on one's health. Considering the progression of post-COVID-19 syndrome into ME/CFS, the timing of the proposed pilot study is crucial.
The study has not started recruiting participants.