Preliminary research, released in July, suggests that genetics, specifically the FOXP4 gene, may play a crucial role in determining why some COVID-19 patients develop “long COVID” and experience enduring symptoms post-infection.
Long COVID Overview: For around 10-20% of adults who were infected with COVID-19, symptoms persist long after the infection has resolved – a state commonly referred to as long COVID.
* Long COVID encompasses a range of symptoms including fatigue, muscle pain, intestinal disorders, and brain fog, among others, according to Stéphanie Longet, an immunologist and a COVID researcher at the University of Saint-Etienne in France.
Genetics and Long COVID: Recent research involving international collaboration between scientists seems to suggest that the FOXP4 gene might have an association with developing long COVID.
* The study involved DNA from 6,450 people who developed long COVID, with their DNA compared to those who did not. The FOXP4 gene stood out in those with long-lasting symptoms.
* However, simply having the FOXP4 variant does not mean an individual will definitely develop long COVID.
Implications: The new evidence suggests the genetic influence of the FOXP4 gene on long COVID is relatively small and indicates more foundational immune regulation in the lung.
* The research does not present FOXP4 as a definitive cause. Further investigation is needed to understand other common long COVID symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue.
The Role of Vaccination: As data suggests those who’ve had severe COVID bouts are more likely to experience long COVID, vaccination remains a primary tool in the fight against COVID.
* By preventing or reducing the severity of the infection, vaccines lower the risk of someone developing long COVID.
Managing Long COVID: Adjusting routines, modifying diets, and doing light breathing exercises are among the strategies that some researchers have found to help manage long COVID symptoms.
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