Online Search Interest In Long-Term Symptoms Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 During The COVID-19 Pandemic In Japan: Infodemiology Study Using The Most Visited Search Engine In Japan

November 2023 in “ PLoS ONE ”

Kosuke Ishizuka, Taiju Miyagami, Tomoya Tsuchida, Mizue Saita, Yoshiyuki Ohira, Toshio Naito

TLDR Interest in long-COVID symptoms in Japan increased with COVID-19 case peaks, especially for hair loss, cough, smell/taste issues, and headache.

This study analyzed online search trends for long-COVID symptoms in Japan from January 2020 to December 2022 using Yahoo! JAPAN data. It found that interest in long-COVID increased during peaks in COVID-19 cases, with hair loss/baldness, cough, disturbance of smell/taste, and headache being the most frequently searched symptoms. Notably, searches for hair loss/baldness rose significantly from 3,530 in 2020 to 33,600 in 2022. The study underscores the importance of monitoring online search trends to anticipate healthcare needs related to long-COVID and highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to support individuals with long-COVID, addressing both physical and psychological needs. Limitations include the focus on a single search engine and potential biases.