Can COVID-19 Cause An Autoimmune Disease?
Common questionCan COVID-19 cause an autoimmune disease?Widespread and long-term inflammation during severe COVID-19 may cause the immune system to produce antibodies to pieces of the virus it wouldn't normally recognize. Some of those pieces might resemble human proteins enough to trigger the production of autoantibodies.
Are people with autoimmune diseases considered high risk for COVID-19?
Researchers have reported higher rates of severe COVID-19 and death in people with autoimmune disease than in the general population. It is unclear whether this is attributable to the autoimmune disease, the immunosuppressive medications taken to treat it, or both.
NIH launches study of extra COVID-19 vaccine dose in people with autoimmune disease
Are you at risk of experiencing an autoimmune disease flare-up from COVID-19 vaccine?
There is a risk that flare-ups may occur. That being said, it has been observed that people living with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions are at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms from a COVID-19 infection.
COVID Vaccine & Autoimmune Disease FAQ
UCLA researchers are the first to create a version of COVID-19 in mice that shows how the disease damages organs other than the lungs. Using their model, the scientists discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can shut down energy production in cells of the heart, kidneys, spleen and other organs.
Scientists discover how COVID-19 virus causes multiple organ failure in mice
What are some of the potential long-term effects of COVID-19?
Known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or more commonly as Long COVID, these conditions affect all ages. Long-term effects include fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, sleep disorders, fevers, anxiety and depression.
NIH to study long-term effects of COVID-19 in pregnancy