Prolonged cough and cold highly associated with severe Covid-19 in long covid patients

In a study on Japanese population with long COVID, prolonged cough and sputum production were closely associated with severe COVID-19. The study has been published in Respiratory Research emphasizes on a preventive approach including appropriate vaccination and contact precaution and further development of therapeutic drugs for COVID-19 are highly recommended for patients with risk factors for severe infection to avoid persistent respiratory symptoms.

Prolonged symptoms are reported in patients who recover from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), defined as long COVID. Cough and sputum are presented by patients with long COVID during the acute and post-acute phases.

Researchers in the current study aimed to identify specific risk factors for cough and sputum in patients with long COVID. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 aged 18 years were enrolled in a multicenter cohort study at 26 medical institutions.

Researchers found that at 3, 6, and 12 month follow-ups, there were no differences in the incidence rates of wet and dry coughs. In contrast, the proportion of patients presenting sputum without coughing increased over time compared to those with sputum and coughing.

Researchers concluded that “In a Japanese population with long COVID, prolonged cough and sputum production were closely associated with severe COVID-19. These findings emphasize that a preventive approach including appropriate vaccination and contact precaution and further development of therapeutic drugs for COVID-19 are highly recommended for patients with risk factors for severe infection to avoid persistent respiratory symptoms.”

Reference: Watase, M., Miyata, J., Terai, H. et al. Cough and sputum in long COVID are associated with severe acute COVID-19: a Japanese cohort study. Respir Res 24, 283 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-023-02591-3.