According to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, individuals who contract a severe case of the flu are nearly twice as likely to experience long-term brain damage compared to those with severe Covid-19. The study, which analyzed the medical records of 77,200 patients hospitalized for Covid between March 2020 and November 2021, and a previous group of flu patients, revealed higher risks of dementia, strokes, migraines, nerve problems, movement disorders, and epilepsy among flu patients.

The findings indicate that the long-lasting symptoms of the flu can be more debilitating and severe than those associated with long Covid. Notably, patients hospitalized with the flu were up to 10% more at risk for dementia and strokes compared to their Covid counterparts. Additionally, the flu group was 44% more likely to seek treatment for nerve pain and 35% more likely to require help for persistent migraines.

Dr. Adam de Havenon, a neurologist at Yale University, commented on the study, stating, "It's good news that Covid behaves similarly to other respiratory viruses regarding common neurological conditions. Concerns over limited access to neurological care following a dramatic increase in neurologic cases after Covid are alleviated."

Both Covid and influenza infections lead to inflammation in the blood, which can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including the brain, resulting in various complications. Encephalitis (brain swelling) and Guillain-Barre syndrome (an autoimmune disorder affecting peripheral nerves) are known complications of both respiratory viruses.

The study's results may spark debates among skeptical doctors concerning the severity of long Covid. This comes as $45 million has been allocated for grants to treat long Covid patients, leading to discussions about the poorly-defined nature of the illness and its difficulties in diagnosis due to symptoms that can be mistaken for other conditions.

While long Covid and long flu share similar characteristics as poorly-defined conditions encompassing a wide range of complications persisting weeks after the infection, the study emphasizes the higher chances of neurological disorders among long flu patients. Nearly 5% of long flu patients sought medical care for these conditions, compared to 2.79% of long Covid patients.

Dr. Brian Callaghan, the leading neurologist behind the research, clarifies that their study did not specifically examine long Covid outcomes. Nevertheless, he emphasizes that being hospitalized with Covid did not lead to a higher prevalence of common neurological conditions compared to hospitalization for influenza.

This study brings new insights into the potential long-term effects of severe flu infections on the brain, highlighting the importance of preventive measures, such as vaccinations, in mitigating the risks associated with both Covid and influenza.