Previous studies have documented an increased risk for thrombotic events 30 days after COVID-19 infection, but less is known about this risk beyond 30 days or compared with risk after other infectious acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs). By using PCORnet data from April 1, 2022–April 30, 2023, we compared the incidences of thrombotic events in the year after COVID-19 illness with other ARI diagnoses in hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients. Overall, the risk for any thrombotic event was higher among patients with COVID-19 compared with patients with other ARIs (incidence ratio 1.63; p<0.05). Nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 had a 73% increased risk for a thrombotic event in the year after acute illness compared with nonhospitalized patients with ARI (p<0.05). The increased risk for thrombotic events in the year after COVID-19 emphasizes the need for stroke awareness for patients and healthcare professionals.

We examined functional limitations and illness-related chronic absenteeism (i.e., missing >18 days of school for health reasons) in a cross-sectional nationally representative sample of 11,057 US children 5–17 years of age who ever or never had long COVID (i.e., symptoms lasting >3 months after COVID-19 illness). Among 4,587 children with prior COVID-19, we estimated whether long COVID was associated with increased illness-related chronic absenteeism by using logistic regression. Our analysis showed that ≈1.4% of school-aged children had long COVID at some point. Among children with prior COVID-19, those who had long COVID at some point more frequently reported functional limitations, such as difficulty with memory, than those who did not have long COVID (18.3% vs. 8.6%). Having long COVID was associated with higher odds of illness-related chronic absenteeism. Children who had long COVID could experience functional limitations and absenteeism. School accommodations might be an option to improve functional limitations.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe illness, but little is known about long-term consequences in hospitalized adults. We surveyed adults (>18 years of age) who survived hospitalization for RSV or COVID-19 during February 2022–September 2023 about physical functioning and quality of life; surveys were conducted 6–12 months after hospitalization. We compared outcomes after RSV hospitalization by age (<60 vs. >60 years) and to those hospitalized for COVID-19 by using multivariable regression models. Among 146 adults hospitalized with RSV, 27.4% reported severe breathlessness and 21.9% poor quality of life at follow-up. Few differences were seen in posthospital illness by age. After adjustment, participants with RSV had 1.81 (95% CI 1.08–3.04) times increased odds of worse dyspnea than did those with COVID-19. Participants reported functional and quality of life impairments after RSV hospitalization, regardless of age, and a postdischarge sequelae constellation similar to that for those hospitalized for COVID-19.

For some patients who have Lyme disease (LD), nonspecific symptoms can persist after treatment and impair quality of life. Estimating the frequency and duration of such symptoms is challenging. Using commercial insurance claims data from 2017–2021 for enrollees residing in states where LD is common, we identified 24,503 case-patients with LD and matched them (1:5) with 122,095 control-patients with other diagnoses by demographics, medical service date, and inpatient/outpatient setting. We compared relative frequencies of diagnosis codes for pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties between case-patients and control-patients in the year after diagnosis. Those symptom codes occurred 5.0% more frequently among case-patients than among control-patients and comprised »11.0% of the total symptom codes among case-patients. Symptom code frequency among case-patients declined significantly in the 6–12 months after LD diagnosis and reached levels similar to control-patients by the end of the year, with the exception of fatigue.

Some patients with coccidioidomycosis experience prolonged respiratory and systemic symptoms. However, data on prevalence and persistence of most symptoms are lacking. Using an insurance claims database, we identified patients with coccidioidomycosis diagnoses in the United States during 2017–2023. We assessed prevalence of associated symptoms from 6 months before to 1 year after first diagnosis code (index date) and compared post–index date prevalence to baseline (within 6 to 4 months before index date). Among 2,640 patients, cough (20.8%), dyspnea (13.0%), and fatigue (8.8%) were the most common symptoms at index date. Dyspnea and erythema nodosum were elevated 3–6 months post–index date (p<0.03), and fatigue, headache, joint pain, and weakness were elevated 9–12 months post–index date compared with baseline (p<0.05).These findings demonstrate that symptoms can persist in coccidioidomycosis patients, which could help inform clinical management and refine estimates of the health and economic burden of coccidioidomycosis.

Giardiasis, caused by the parasite Giardia duodenalis, is a common infection throughout the world. Acute infections can be asymptomatic, cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms, or be associated with severe, prolonged diarrhea. Most Giardia infections are self-limiting; however, a subset of symptomatic and asymptomatic persons experience infection-associated chronic conditions that can affect multiple body systems. Those conditions include stunting and impaired cognitive function in children, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, all of which can persist for months or years. Such conditions can impair daily functioning and quality of life; however, research has yet to fully elucidate underlying mechanisms, describe the prevalence, identify persons at increased risk, and develop effective treatment strategies. We synthesized what is known about giardiasis-associated chronic conditions and illnesses to improve recognition of those complications and ensure appropriate management that can improve the well-being of persons affected.