Researchers are highlighting an underrecognized trigger that can disrupt heart rhythm, with growing evidence linking severe viral infections to long-term cardiovascular risks.
A U.S. Team recently reported in the journal Cell that individuals who experience severe cases of Covid-19 or influenza face an elevated risk of developing lung cancer later on. According to lead author Jie Sun from the University of Virginia, a serious bout of either illness can push the lungs into a prolonged state of inflammation, creating conditions that create it easier for cancer to take hold.
The findings stem from an analysis of data from nearly 76 million adults, some of whom had been hospitalized for Covid-19. Recovering from such an infection was associated with a 1.24 times higher risk of lung cancer. Similar increases in risk have too been observed following severe flu cases, researchers noted.
In related studies published in Cell and Nature, a group led by Pascal Geldsetzer at Stanford University found that shingles vaccination—particularly in women—may significantly lower the risk of developing dementia. These investigations suggest that certain infections, while causing acute illness, can also lead to serious long-term health consequences that are only now being understood.
The growing body of research underscores how infections like flu and Covid-19 may have effects that extend far beyond the initial illness, impacting organ systems in ways that persist for months or years. Experts say this highlights the importance of preventive measures, including vaccination, not only to reduce immediate harm but also to mitigate potential long-term complications.
