long covid

A case of bronchitis in 2014 left Sanna Stella, a therapist who lives in the Chicago area, with debilitating fatigue.

Clues to a better understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome emerge from a major study

3:12pm February 23, 2024

by Will Stone

After seven years of research, the findings shed light on the long-neglected illness. Scientists say the results could lead to future trials for potential treatments.

Queue Listen Now

For patients with long COVID, exercise can lead to a worsening of symptoms, a condition called post-exertional malaise. New research shows what's going on in their muscles.

Health & Safety

A discovery in the muscles of long COVID patients may explain exercise troubles

11:45am January 09, 2024

by Will Stone

Long COVID patients can experience severe energy crashes after physical exertion. New research provides clear evidence that there's a biological basis for the symptoms.

A worker inspects disposable gloves at a factory in Malaysia, a country that has been the top supplier of medical gloves to the U. S. and which is facing increasing competition from China.

A new normal? 6 stories about the evolving U.S. COVID response in 2023

10:28am December 19, 2023

by Pien Huang

This was the year a lot people finally exhaled. The pandemic was declared no longer an emergency. But viral threats are still with us and there are lessons we still haven't learned.

Spillovers of a virus from animals to humans may not be as rare as scientists used to think. Here are some of the possible human cases documented since November 2021

Health & Safety

From a surprising long COVID theory to a new cow flu: Our 5 top 'viral' posts in 2023

7:27am December 14, 2023

by Marc Silver

The pandemic state of emergency was lifted but there are still plenty of viruses to worry about. Here are some highlights of our viral coverage this year, including NPR's "Hidden Viruses" series.

Scientists are learning more about how long COVID affects the brain.

Pain, fatigue, fuzzy thinking: How long COVID disrupts the brain

5:00am November 13, 2023

by Jon Hamilton

The neurological symptoms of COVID can persist for years after an infection. Scientists are just beginning to understand why.

Long COVID brain fog may originate in a surprising place, say scientists

7:29am October 24, 2023

by Will Stone

Scientists studying the causes of long COVID symptoms are proposing a surprising pathway. Their research weaves together several prominent lines of evidence on what might be driving the condition.

Queue Listen Now

Researchers looking for root causes of long COVID work in the autopsy suite inside the Clinical Center at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

Unraveling long COVID: Here's what scientists who study the illness want to find out

10:16am September 09, 2023

by Will Stone

At a recent medical gathering, researchers presented their latest hypotheses about what causes – and what could treat – the lingering disease.

Protesters march outside the White House to call attention to those who have long COVID.

A new clue to the reason some people come down with long COVID

11:56am August 08, 2023

by Max Barnhart

Researchers have found a link between the FOXP4 gene and the occurrence of what's known as long COVID. The finding could lead to a better understanding of a condition that affects millions.

Miguel Lerma, right, with his grandparents who raised him, Jose and Virginia Aldaco.

Health & Safety

Pandemic hits 'stop button,' but for some life is forever changed

5:17pm May 11, 2023

NPR talked to hundreds of people over the course of the pandemic. As the emergency declaration ends on May 11, we asked some of them for their reflections on the past three tumultuous years.

Millions of people have long COVID brain fog — and there's a shortage of answers

1:50pm May 10, 2023

by Dave Davies

Psychologist James Jackson says people with long COVID experience impaired brain function and mental health issues. He offers some practical advice and support in his new book, Clearing the Fog.

Queue Listen Now