- A new study indicates that chronic viral infections can have lasting effects on the immune system, similar to aging.
- Chronic inflammation contributes to illness and death as we age, but it’s not known whether chronic infections might affect us in a similar way.
- Eliminating the virus from the body can restore some functions of the immune system.
- It’s unclear what the implications are for people with long-haul COVID-19, but it could affect their ability to respond to other viral conditions.
According to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, chronic viral infections can have lasting effects on the immune system.
The study authors say these effects are similar in nature to those caused by aging.
Chronic inflammation contributes to illness and death as we age, the authors explain.
However, it’s not clear whether similar mechanisms are at play in the immune system dysfunction associated with chronic infections.
Source: healthline