French Researchers Find That Long COVID and COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Share Hidden Biological Links
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 23, 2025 6 hours, 12 minutes ago
Medical News: A new study by Jean-François Lesgards (Independent Researcher, Marseille, France), Dominique Cerdan (Independent Researcher, Bordeaux, France), and Christian Perronne (Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital Raymond Poincaré, APHP, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-Paris Saclay, France) has revealed striking similarities between the health problems caused by long COVID and those linked to COVID-19 vaccines. The findings suggest that both conditions may involve common biological pathways. This
Medical News report highlights how these connections may help explain why symptoms appear so alike in people recovering from infection and in those experiencing post-vaccine complications.
.jpg)
French Researchers Finds That Long COVID and COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Share Hidden Biological Links
What is Long COVID
Long COVID, sometimes called post-COVID condition, refers to ongoing symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks after the initial infection. These include fatigue, brain fog, chest pain, muscle aches, shortness of breath, memory problems, heart inflammation, and even blood clots. More than 200 different symptoms have been documented worldwide, and researchers estimate that nearly 400 million people may be living with long COVID globally.
The Spike Protein Connection
The study points to the spike protein, a key part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as a common trigger. COVID-19 vaccines work by teaching the body to produce a very similar spike protein so the immune system can recognize the virus. However, in some cases, the spike protein can linger in the body for months after either infection or vaccination. When it interacts with certain receptors present throughout the body, it may cause inflammation in the heart, brain, lungs, and blood vessels.
Shared Pathways Behind Symptoms
The researchers identified three main biological systems that may explain why both long COVID and vaccine side effects look alike:
-
The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) – controls blood pressure but can also trigger inflammation when disrupted.
-
The kallikrein–kinin system (KKS) – involved in controlling blood flow and inflammation, but when overactivated may cause swelling and tissue damage.
-
The lectin complement pathway – part of the immune system that can fuel inflammation if not properly balanced.
Disruptions in these pathways can cause long-lasting problems like myocarditis (heart inflammation), blood clots, neurological symptoms such as brain fog, and autoimmune reactions.
Why This Matters
The study emphasizes that while not everyone develops complications, the overlapping biological mechanisms suggest that both long COVID and certain vaccine side effects may need similar approaches for treatment.
Potential therapies could focus on calming down these pathways to reduce inflammation and prevent organ damage.
Final Thoughts
This research shows that the health impacts of COVID-19 and its vaccines are complex and intertwined. Understanding the shared pathways may not only help patients suffering from long COVID but also guide doctors in managing long-term vaccine-related issues. The findings remind us that ongoing monitoring and new treatments are urgently needed as millions worldwide continue to struggle with these conditions.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/16/7879
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-protocol-to-treat-covid-19-vaccine-spike-disease-or-longvax-syndrome
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/emeritus-professor-in-immunology-warns-in-australian-journal-of-general-practice-that-covid-19-mrna-jabs-possibly-behind-long-covid-heart-issues
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/scientists-warn-that-covid-19-vaccines-damage-blood-vessel-linings-and-cause-multisystem-inflammation
Share
Tweet
Share
