Most people infected by Covid-19 feel the effects for about two weeks, but others experience lingering health problems – known as long Covid.
Now Salford Royal respiratory consultant Professor Nawar Bakerly (pictured above), who is leading long Covid research in Greater Manchester, is encouraging people to join a new campaign, Help BEAT Coronavirus. This is supporting research to help the NHS understand long Covid and other ongoing issues caused by the pandemic.
The work builds on Research for the Future, an NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester initiative hosted by Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.
Professor Bakerly said: “Help BEAT Coronavirus has been developed following the incredible public response to vaccine research trials, where more than 30,000 people across Greater Manchester took part in Covid-19 research.
“Now we need to find better ways to help those affected by long Covid symptoms – which include breathlessness, fatigue and brain fog that persist for longer than four weeks after contracting coronavirus. We also want to understand what causes these symptoms and why some people are more susceptible to experiencing ongoing health issues.
“Since the start of the pandemic, the NHS has played a key role in the discovery of new treatments, as well as the vaccines which now offer a high level of protection from hospitalisation and death. That research would not have been possible without the volunteers who took part and we hope that others will now come forward to actively help the NHS to improve care and treatments.”
Professor Bakerly added: “People who get involved in health research tend to have better health outcomes, as they become better at managing their own health. Joining the research community is good for you and good for others.”
Registering with Research for the Future means you will receive information about research opportunities along with details of how to take part. There are lots of different types of research you can take part in, including answering questionnaires, joining discussion groups, testing equipment, or taking part in trials to find new treatments.
Register now online at www.researchforthefuture.org/register or text RESEARCH and YOUR NAME to 81400.