Long covid: Why are some people sick months after catching the virus?

By Jessica Hamzelou

THE argument for naturally obtained herd immunity as a solution to the coronavirus pandemic has made a return in recent weeks. But letting the virus spread among younger people, who are less likely to die from covid-19, could lead to devastating consequences. Estimates suggest that there could already be millions of people around the world living with “long covid” – what appears to be a debilitating syndrome that follows a coronavirus infection.

As personal stories of long-term problems accumulate, researchers and health bodies are learning more …