Keith Roach, M.D., syndicated columnist

DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there a research group studying the aftereffects of COVID? My husband has been exhausted since his second bout of COVID in June 2023. This is not simply being tired; it is exhaustion. Our physician has ordered multiple tests (for his heart, lungs, etc.), and nothing else turns up.

When speaking with friends who have had COVID, they say that lingering symptoms continue. Some continue to experience things such as vertigo daily, an inability to walk without a walker, a persistent runny nose, a nagging cough, tiredness, etc.

Do you know where these aftereffects are being gathered to enable scientists to further their research in this area? — D.D.G.

ANSWER: Most people feel pretty much back to normal within a few weeks after a COVID infection, but you have pointed out only a small fraction of the symptoms that people can experience after a COVID infection. A recent study has shown an increase in autoimmune diseases, for example.

How often this happens is hard to know for sure, but I have read estimates that somewhere between 6% and 15% of people will have at least one persistent symptom after a COVID infection.

People who are older and heavier are at a higher risk, as are women compared to men. Preexisting lung or psychiatric conditions can predispose people to persistent symptoms.

Many research groups are working on this problem. I went to ClinicalTrials.gov and found 520 ongoing studies with researchers who are trying to understand why it happens and how to develop effective treatments. It’s not just one institution; there are studies from all over the world.

More evidence has recently been published, showing that people who are up-to-date with their vaccines receive some protection from long COVID.

New vaccines are expected to be released in the fall.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.