Overview
- Researchers followed 3,700 US adults infected during the Omicron wave, surveying symptoms every three months for 15 months, with results published in Nature Communications.
- Participants were grouped into eight data‑driven trajectories, from improving or intermittent patterns to a persistent high‑burden course.
- The largest group reported consistent minimal to no symptom burden (1,301 people), while 195 people fell into the most severe persistent high‑burden group.
- About 10% had symptoms consistent with long Covid at three months after infection, and 81% of those remained symptomatic at 12 months.
- Authors say the trajectory framework will support studies of risk factors, biomarkers and potential therapies, and help size clinical and public‑health resources; the cohort was 69% female with a mean age of about 49 and relied on self‑reported surveys.