Risk of post-acute symptoms and conditions after SARS-CoV-2 compared with other respiratory viral infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES

How post-COVID-19 condition differs from post-acute infection syndromes caused by other respiratory viruses remains uncertain. Comparing these conditions may clarify whether post-acute symptoms reflect specific consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection or broader post-viral mechanisms.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies comparing persistent symptoms or conditions in adults after SARS-CoV-2 infection with those following other acute respiratory viral infections. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled risks.

RESULTS

Among 9371 records screened, 22 studies were included, and 14 contributed to the meta-analysis. Increased risks after SARS-CoV-2 infection were observed for pulmonary embolism, abnormal breathing, fatigue, hemorrhagic stroke, memory loss/brain fog, and palpitations; heart rate abnormalities showed borderline significance. For most other outcomes, pooled estimates did not indicate significantly higher risks than those after other acute respiratory viral infections.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the concept of post-COVID-19 condition as one example within the broader spectrum of post-acute infection syndromes, underscoring the need to recognize these conditions after non-COVID respiratory viral infections and to further investigate shared and pathogen-specific mechanisms.