Covid-19 – symptoms and immunity
In December 2019, the first cases of Corona virus disease 2019 (covid-19) – i.e. a disease caused by a completely new virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – were reported. The Covid-19 pandemic led to major changes in society to reduce the spread of infection and major changes in health and care in order to meet the need for care and also the need for diagnostics/sampling and adequate protective equipment for staff.
From what we know today, the virus can cause a variety of symptoms. Fever, dry cough, a sore throat and muscle aches are common symptoms and can be expected in the case of any viral respiratory infection. More unexpected symptoms such as lost sense of smell and taste and increased risk of thrombosis/embolism with a serious outcome are also described. The degree of illness is described to range from only mild malaise to full-blown respiratory failure or shock.
As it is a completely new virus, we currently lack a lot of knowledge, especially with regard to antibody development and whether clinical immunity develops after passing infection and, if so, how long and effective this immunity remains. How the pandemic will develop and the consequences for healthcare are currently unclear and difficult to predict. The purpose of the study is to map the pattern of symptoms and antibody development over time in patients with confirmed covid-19 in Region Halland.
About the project
Project period
- 2020–2025
Project leader
Other participating researchers
- Emma Löfström
Collaboration partners
- Region Halland
Financiers
- Region Halland
- Högskolan i Halmstad
Publications
- Patients' Health Experiences of Post COVID-19 Condition-A Qualitative Study. Almgren J, Löfström E, Malmborg JS, Nygren J, Undén J, Larsson I. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 27;19(21):13980. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113980. PMID: 36360860.
- Dynamics of IgG-Avidity and Antibody Levels after Covid-19. Löfström E., Eringfält A., Kötz A., Wickbom F., Tham J., Lingman M., Nygren JM., Johan Undén J. J Clin Virol. 2021. 20;144:104986.
More information
The project is part of the Healthcare improvement research group.
