In a recent interview, Dr Deborah Birx, who served as the White House Coordinator under President Trump from 2020-2021, drew criticism for comparing long Covid to HIV. She asserted that, like HIV, Covid could silently impair immune systems, even among asymptomatic individuals, leading to long-term health issues. However, experts have condemned her comparison, calling it scientifically incorrect and potentially panic-inducing.

Dr Birx explained during the interview with News Nation that the comparison to HIV was important because both diseases could be asymptomatic. She argued that mild and moderate cases of Covid could cause unseen damage, similar to how HIV destroyed the immune system. She expressed the need for individuals with long Covid to not only survive but thrive, drawing parallels to those living with HIV.

Dr Jay Bhattacharya, a medical professor at Stanford, criticized Dr Birx's comparison, deeming it "bad science" and irresponsible. He pointed out the incorrectness of equating the long-term consequences of HIV with long Covid. Bhattacharya cautioned against spreading panic based on flawed scientific evidence.

HIV, a lentivirus, and Covid, a betacoronavirus, belong to different viral genera. HIV, if left untreated, can progress to AIDS, while Covid is associated with the development of long Covid symptoms that persist for at least two months without other explanations. Estimates suggest that long Covid may affect between nine and 20 million Americans, but diagnosing the condition is challenging, leading some experts to believe that previous estimates were overstated.

Dr Birx raised awareness about the impact of long Covid on various bodily functions, including mitochondrial and brain-related issues. She emphasized the need to understand the lasting effects of the virus on neurons and their supporting cells based on what has been observed in long Covid cases.

Research conducted at UCSF examined the immune response of individuals with long Covid compared to those who fully recovered. The study found that T-cell coordination, an important aspect of the immune response, was disrupted in individuals with ongoing symptoms, pointing to chronic inflammation and abnormal movement of immune cells into tissues. This phenomenon is reminiscent of T-cell exhaustion observed in HIV studies.

While Dr Birx's comparison sparked controversy, experts caution against equating the two conditions. HIV and long Covid differ significantly in their clinical presentation, progression, and impact on the immune system. It is crucial to rely on accurate scientific evidence to avoid unnecessary panic and misinformation.