Research by the University of Queensland in Australia has found viruses akin to SARS-CoV-2 could cause mind cells to fuse, triggering malfunctions that result in “chronic” neurological signs.

Their research, printed in Science Advances journal, discovered that the virus that causes Covid could make neurons fireplace on the identical time or cease altogether.

In a university release, Professor Massimo Hilliard, defined: “We discovered COVID-19 causes neurons to undergo a cell fusion process, which has not been seen before.

“After neuronal infection with SARS-CoV-2, the spike S protein becomes present in neurons, and once neurons fuse, they don’t die.

“They either start firing synchronously, or they stop functioning altogether.”

The tutorial in contrast the function of neurons to that of wires connecting switches to the lights in a kitchen and a rest room.

“Once fusion takes place, each switch either turns on both the kitchen and bathroom lights at the same time, or neither of them,” he stated.

“It’s bad news for the two independent circuits.”

The findings present a possible clarification for lingering neurological results after a viral an infection, akin to Covid.

Prof Hilliard’s colleague, Doctor Ramon Martinez-Marmol, stated: “In the current understanding of what happens when a virus enters the brain, there are two outcomes – either cell death or inflammation.

“But we’ve shown a third possible outcome, which is neuronal fusion.”

Dr Martinez-Marmol stated that quite a few viruses trigger cell fusion in different tissues, but in addition infect the nervous system and might be inflicting the identical drawback there.

He added: “These viruses include HIV, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, measles, herpes simplex virus and Zika virus.

“Our research reveals a new mechanism for the neurological events that happen during a viral infection.

“This is potentially a major cause of neurological diseases and clinical symptoms that is still unexplored.”

Common signs of lengthy Covid are reported as:

• Fatigue
• Feeling wanting breath
• Loss of odor
• Muscle aches
• Problems together with your reminiscence and focus ("brain fog")
• Chest ache or tightness
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Pins and needles
• Joint ache
• Depression and nervousness
• Tinnitus, earaches
• Feeling sick, diarrhoea, abdomen aches, lack of urge for food
• A excessive temperature, cough, complications, sore throat, modifications to sense of odor or style
• Rashes.

If you suppose you've got lengthy Covid you must converse to your GP.