COVID-19 can wake up dormant viruses in the body, large study confirms

A new study published in Nature reveals that the COVID-19 virus can reactivate dormant viruses in hospitalized patients. Researchers from Boston Children's Hospital and 14 other biomedical institutions across the United States analyzed blood samples from 1,154 patients to identify reactivated viruses within the first 40 days of admission.

They detected 11 different viruses, with Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus 1, cytomegalovirus, and Anelloviridae being the most commonly detected. Notably, Anelloviridae reactivation was linked to long-term physical disability and long COVID, a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide. The researchers found that Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus reactivation occurred in response to inflammation rather than immunosuppression, challenging the prevailing belief that chronic viral reactivation is primarily due to weakened immune systems.

This discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the molecular and viral associations with long COVID, potentially leading to improved diagnostics and treatments. The study highlights the importance of learning from the COVID-19 pandemic to better prepare for future outbreaks and develop effective strategies to help patients recover.