Long Covid leading to symptoms ‘almost like viral meningitis’

New HRB study discovers a range of neurological problems with the virus

LONG COVID primarily affects the brain and not the heart and lungs as previously believed, meaning patients are not receiving sufficient treatment.

A new study of 150 patients funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) discovered a range of neurological problems with long-Covid patients and some had the debilitating disease for 29 months.

The research shows that long Covid to be ‘almost acting like a viral meningitis.’

Up to 90% of long Covid patients suffer with brain issues, but 70% of resources are focused on issues relating to respiratory problems.

‘We need to focus on interventions that help the brain, not the body,’ said Jack Lambert, professor of Infectious Diseases at the UCD School of Medicine.

Interventions include drug therapies and also reprogramming of the brain via neuropsychology an neuro-rehabilitation. Estimates suggest that as many as one in ten people who contract Covid-19 will develop long Covid – experiencing symptoms for weeks or months afterwards.

Professor Lambert said the brain trauma from long Covid is similar to closed head injuries.

A closed head injury is damage caused mostly by car accidents, when rapid shaking of the brain in the skull bruises or tears the brain tissue and blood vessels.

‘All the cranial nerves seem to be involved,’ Prof Lambert said.

Smell and taste are lost, temperature regulation, blood pressure and pulse is disrupted.

As a result, patients are experiencing heart palpitations, muscle ache and changes to skin and hair. Further symptoms revealed by the examination were tinnitus and eye problems. Personality and mood changes have also been found as a side-effect.

Speaking on Newstalk, Prof. Lambert said: ‘We need to adapt what we have learnt from head injuries to manage long Covid.

‘We need to get additional resources to support these patients because currently they are not being supported in Ireland to manage that condition.’

The examination’s findings have not been incorporated into HSE’s plan to tackle long Covid and Prof. Lambert said: ‘We need to redirect the money and find new resources to support the neuro complications of long Covid.’

He added that he requested meetings with the HSE to present the data and to offer support in re-writing guidelines to help the long Covid patients.

The HSE has not yet responded to the research.

‘Patients are not being supported’