Coronavirus survivors are 56 per cent more likely to have lasting symptoms of the infection than people who beat the flu, according to researchers trying to solve the puzzle of 'long Covid'.
Following the initial blast of the pandemic last spring, a wave of patients came forward with lingering ailments months after clearing the virus from their bodies.
Critics said 'long Covid' was being overreported and questioned whether it was truly more prevalent than with other viral illnesses.
The latest Oxford University study, one of the largest of its kind to date, suggests Covid is more likely to leave sufferers debilitated than flu.
Researchers analysed the medical records of more than 270,000 Covid-positive people and compared them to 100,000 influenza patients.
They found 57 per cent of Covid patients had 'long Covid' symptoms up to six months later — including chest pain and fatigue.
Prolonged symptoms were also diagnosed in patients recovering from the flu, but at lower rates (42.8 per cent).
Researchers said their results suggested there was nothing 'unique or specific' about long Covid symptoms to Covid patients, and that people struck down by other viruses could suffer a similar array of warning signs.
The above graph shows the proportion of Covid infected patients who suffered symptoms of the virus up to three months after they cleared the infection, and three to six months after they fought off the virus
Little is known about the condition, which is yet to be rigorously defined by medics, despite the pandemic beginning more than a year ago.
But it has sparked concern because the condition can leave survivors of the virus with debilitating symptoms for months on end.
Symptoms of the condition are usually mild, however, with many sufferers only facing fatigue, shortness of breath and difficulty concentrating.
Around one in seven Covid patients still have symptoms of the virus four weeks after their initial infection, figures suggest, while one in 20 have them for more than eight weeks.
The NHS has spent more than £100million setting up clinics to help people suffering from the condition, and the UK Government has spent £20million on research.
