TLDR Healthcare workers with a positive COVID-19 test were more likely to report long-COVID symptoms.
In this study involving 3,334 healthcare workers, those with a positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab were more likely to report long-COVID symptoms compared to controls, with 73% experiencing symptoms versus 52% of controls. Seropositive individuals without a positive swab were only mildly affected, though they reported higher instances of impaired taste/olfaction and hair loss. Exhaustion and burnout were prevalent even among non-infected workers. Physical activity at baseline was found to be protective against neurocognitive impairment and fatigue. The study highlighted that acute viral symptoms were strong predictors of long-COVID symptoms, and anti-S titers were correlated with high symptom scores.
1250 citations
,
August 2021 in “Scientific Reports” COVID-19 leaves 80% of patients with long-term symptoms like fatigue and headaches.
114 citations
,
January 2021 in “medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” COVID-19 can cause over 50 long-term symptoms, with fatigue and headache being the most common.
51 citations
,
November 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” COVID-19 infection may cause significant hair loss, but full hair recovery is likely without special treatment.
35 citations
,
January 2022 in “Clinical Infectious Diseases” Healthcare workers with COVID-19 reported more long-term symptoms, and physical activity may help reduce some of these symptoms.
198 citations
,
April 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” The virus was not found in the semen and urine of a man who tested positive for COVID-19.
October 2025 in “Diseases” Long COVID causes lasting symptoms in many body systems, needing more research for better treatments.
47 citations
,
January 2021 in “Fertility and Sterility” COVID-19 might affect male fertility, but more research is needed to understand the full impact.
23 citations
,
February 2021 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Betacoronaviruses, like COVID-19, may cause hormone system dysfunction and affect disease susceptibility and severity.
