University of Plymouth trial to treat long Covid symptoms
Researchers in Plymouth are working on a project searching for an effective treatment for the symptoms of long Covid.The University of Plymouth (UoP) said it was part of the ERASE long Covid project, led by the University of Derby, which launched in September 2024.It said more than 144 million people globally were living with long Covid with some people experiencing fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations and brain fog.The university said it was testing anti-viral medication, which is already used to treat patients with Covid-19 in hospital, on 72 long Covid sufferers to see if it could help alleviate their symptoms.
'Health and societal challenge'
The researchers said because most people who contracted Covid-19 were not hospitalised with the condition, they did not have a way to access the anti-viral medication.But the study, managed by the Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit (PenCTU) at the university, would examine whether the medication could also alleviate the symptoms of long Covid.Lead of the project, Mark Faghy, said: "The impact long Covid has on the lives of patients is huge. "For many, it can be debilitating, interfering with work, family life, and socialising, and millions are suffering across the world. Yet, at present, there are no confirmed treatments for the condition."Five years on from the start of the pandemic, long Covid remains a significant health and societal challenge, which is why this project is so important."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
All you need to know about new Covid strain 'Nimbus' as doctors issue UK warning
The new variant, called NB.1.8.1, or 'Nimbus' spreads more easily than previous strains on the virus, spreading rapidly around the globe. Doctors have issued a warning for the UK over the new easily transmissible strain of Covid, called 'Nimubs', which has seen a surge of in the country. The new variant, also called NB.1.8.1, is making up a "growing proportion" of Covid cases worldwide, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). China and Hong Kong have seen a surge in cases as well as 21 other countries, and 13 cases have already been found in the UK, warned doctors. Symptoms of Nimbus are similar to previous variants, with a painful sore throat and even heartburn reported as key signs of the new strain. According to Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice, the NB.1.8.1 variant has a distinctive symptom, a severe sore throat known as a "razor blade sensation". Common Covid symptoms like fever, muscle aches and congestion as well as redness in the back of the mouth and swollen neck glands are also listed symptoms of NB.1.8.1. "However, symptoms can vary widely so vigilance is key," Dr Asif told the Manchester Evening News. According to the NHS, Covid symptoms include a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath and feeling sick. Although classic Covid symptoms include a severe cough, sore throat and high fever, NB.1.8.1 has also been found to have gastrointestinal symptoms. Symptoms of the new variant include: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhoea Heartburn Bloating Constipation Abdominal pain The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the variant to its official watch list, suggesting that it is more transmissible than other strains of the virus. However, there isn't any evidence to indicate that it causes more serious illness than previous versions of Covid. Nimbus first appeared in January, and by late April it was responsible for around 10.7 per cent of global infections, up from just 2.5 per cent a month earlier. Recent weeks have also seen a spike of cases in Ireland. Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) shows that the proportion of sequenced Covid samples linked to NB.1.8.1 jumped from 3.7 per cent to 27.3 per cent in the last five weeks. The variant has been flagged in the UK, US and Australia, and has been linked to spikes in Covid cases in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: "NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, but international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of all COVID-19 cases. "Based on the available information so far however, there is no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against it." 'Variants like this pop up when the virus mutates, which is normal for viruses, especially ones that spread widely,' explained Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical. 'NB.1.8.1 was first picked up in early 2025 and has since been detected in several countries, including the UK, China and US. It's got some new mutations that scientists are keeping a close eye on.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
What has caused the global spike in new Covid variant 'Nimbus' NB.1.8.1?
The new 'Nimbus' strain is the latest Covid variant, and cases have been confirmed in the UK. A new variant of Covid named NB.1.8.1 or 'Nimbus' is spreading like wildfire across the globe, with India the newest country to report a severe spike in cases. This new strain has also been found in Thailand, Indonesia and China, and the UK Health Security Agency recorded its first cases in the UK last week. NB.1.8.1 originated from the Omicron variant of the virus, and was first found back in January of this year. Cases have also been reported in states across the United States and Australia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nimbus variant made up around 10.7 per cent of global recorded sequences in April, a staggering increase from just 2.5 per cent in March. The new strain has been declared a "variant under monitoring" by WHO, meaning that it could change the behaviours of the virus. Nimbus has been found in 22 countries so far and presents some unusual new symptoms. Scientists have found that this new variant also spreads more easily than previous strains of Covid, which may explain the recent surge in cases. Dr Chun Tang, GP at UK private healthcare centre Pall Mall Medical, said: 'NB.1.8.1 isn't too different from the Omicron variant, but it does have some tweaks to its spike protein, which might make it spread a bit more easily or slip past some of our existing immunity. 'That said, early signs suggest it doesn't seem to cause more serious illness, but of course, we're still learning more about it.' Australian virologist Lara Herrero, of Griffith University, wrote in The Conversation last month: 'Using lab-based models, researchers found NB.1.8.1 had the strongest binding affinity to the human ACE2 receptor of several variants tested, suggesting it may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains." WHO has stated that risk to the global public is low, and that existing Covid vaccines are considered effective in preventing severe cases of the virus. Most common symptoms of Nimbus are similar to that of previous Covid strains. They include a severe sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches and congestion. Some patients have also experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, or even heartburn, reported The Independent. The full list of symptoms are; a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste shortness of breath feeling tired or exhausted an aching body a headache a sore throat a blocked or runny nose loss of appetite diarrhoea feeling sick or being sick While Nimbus may be more easily transmissible between people, healthcare experts are stressing that there is no evidence that the new strain is more deadly or serious than previous variants. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Keep praying' – Ben Askren's wife shares update with ex-UFC star fighting for his life in hospital
The 44-year-old was reportedly "unresponsive" in the hospital HEALTH BATTLE 'Keep praying' – Ben Askren's wife shares update with ex-UFC star fighting for his life in hospital Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEN ASKREN's wife has given a fresh update on the former MMA world champion's condition following his hospitalisation. The 44-year-old was hospitalised last week after coming down with a severe case of pneumonia, which was brought on by a staph infection. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren was hospitalised last week Credit: GETTY 4 Askren is suffering from severe pneumonia stemming from a staph infection Credit: AP 4 Asken's wife, Amy, has asked for continued prayers for the 44-year-old Credit: GETTY Askren was in a critical condition and "unresponsive" according to a heartbreaking social media post from his wife, Amy. And she's urged her loved ones and fight fans to continue praying for her husband in her latest Facebook post. She wrote: 'Feeling so incredibly thankful for our friends and community. 'It's times like this that remind you how truly blessed you are. 'I feel God moving through the love and support we have received. "I'm sorry if I haven't had the chance to respond to you, but know I've seen your messages, and each one has meant so much to me. 'Please keep praying for Ben.' The MMA community were quick to send their well-wishes to Askren after learning of his hospitalisation. 4 Ben Askren retired from mixed martial arts in November 2019 Credit: GETTY Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo wrote on X: "Pray for Ben Askren." Ex-middleweight king Chris Weidman said: "Prayers out to Ben Askren and his family!!" Ben Askren says he will not be back again after knockout loss to Jake Paul Lightweight star Terrance McKinney said: "Prayers for Ben Askren." Dillon Danis wrote: "Heard the news before it hit the media about Ben Askren. "It's a lot more serious than people think. No matter how bad our beef might've been, he's a great coach and a family man. "Praying he pulls through this." Askren announced his retirement from MMA in 2019 after just over a year in the UFC, where he won three of his fights in the promotion. He ended his combat sports retirement in April 2021 for a crossover clash with Jake Paul, who knocked him out in the first round of their Covid clash.
