Acute and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a review of risk factors and social determinants

Chumeng Wang, Akshara Ramasamy, Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, W. Michael Brode, Esther Melamed

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 infection leading to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 762 million infections worldwide, with 10–30% of patients suffering from post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infections (PASC). Initially thought to primarily affect the respiratory system, it is now known that SARS-CoV-2 infection and PASC can cause dysfunction in multiple organs, both during the acute and chronic stages of infection. There are also multiple risk factors that may predispose patients to worse outcomes from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and contribute to PASC, including genetics, sex differences, age, reactivation of chronic viruses such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), gut microbiome dysbiosis, and behavioral and lifestyle factors, including patients’ diet, alcohol use, smoking, exercise, and sleep patterns. In addition, there are important social determinants of health, such as race and ethnicity, barriers to health equity, differential cultural perspectives and biases that influence patients’ access to health services and disease outcomes from acute COVID-19 and PASC. Here, we review risk factors in acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and PASC and highlight social determinants of health and their impact on patients affected with acute and chronic sequelae of COVID-19.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number124
JournalVirology Journal
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Long-COVID
  • PASC
  • Risk factors
  • Social determinants

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

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