![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/coronavirus-dna-virus-mutation-new-703387726.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTHOSE who've had Covid are at increased risk of dying for up to two years after infection, research suggests.<\/p>\n
Most Brits have already been infected with the bug, with many having had it more than once.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It's worth bearing in mind that the majority of people have a level of protection from the virus following a mammoth\u00a0vaccine rollout, as well as prior infection.<\/p>\n
Scientists from the US have discovered those hospitalised by Covid have a higher chance of dying during the years after infection, compared to people who didn't fall ill. <\/p>\n
Previous studies found respiratory and heart issues persisted formonths after an inital Covid infection.<\/p>\n
But the new study, published in\u00a0Nature Medicine,\u00a0found as far as two years after infection people\u00a0who were hospitalised with the bug faced a far greater chance of dying. <\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/virus-around-blood-cells-769245030-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2e8jbg8-young-african-american-woman-645465719.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
They were also at higher risk of severe health complications like lung disease, diabetes, and general fatigue – also known as 'long Covid'.<\/p>\n
The experts found two years after infection the risk of death declines. <\/p>\n
For patients who weren\u2019t hospitalised by the killer virus, it takes just six months for the risk of death to no longer be significant, it added. <\/p>\n
However, this group isn't spared of all the horrible side effects of the virus. <\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Those who didn't end up in hospital are at increased risk of over 20 medical conditions, it said. <\/p>\n Among these conditions, are: cardiovascular issues and blood clotting trouble, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems and kidney disorders.<\/p>\n Study author Doctor Ziyad Al-Aly, an epidemiologist\u00a0from Washington University, said: "A lot of people think, \u2018I got Covid, I got over it and I\u2019m fine. <\/p>\n "Maybe you\u2019ve forgotten about the Covid\u2026 but Covid did not forget about you. <\/p>\n "It\u2019s still wreaking havoc in your body."<\/p>\n The study was based on the medical records of almost 140,000 US veterans who were diagnosed with Covid during the early days of the pandemic. <\/p>\n Scientists compared the veteran's health data against a control group of almost six million who weren\u2019t known to have been infected.<\/p>\n The study highlights that the sample group was not representative of the general population as veterans\u00a0were older and mostly male.<\/p>\n It comes as a new, mutated form of Covid has popped up. <\/p>\n Dubbed BA2.86, the new Omicron spin-off comes hot on the heels of the EG5.1 \u201cEris\u201d variant, which made its way onto the Covid stage in July. <\/p>\n Eris currently accounts for around 15 per cent of all cases in the UK, according to UK Health Security data. <\/p>\n Between August 6 and August 12, 6,289 people had a confirmed positive test result in England. <\/p>\n This shows an increase of 17.4 per cent compared to the previous seven days.<\/p>\n Experts have suggested this sudden surge in cases could be because of poor weather in July prompting people to gather indoors without ventilation to keep them safe.<\/p>\n Omicron can easily be mistaken for a common cold.<\/p>\n The easiest way to check you have Covid is to take a test.<\/p>\n The most recent data from ZOE states that people who are catching\u00a0Omicron\u00a0are showing specific symptoms.<\/p>\n Data from app states that there are 20 symptoms Brits should be on the lookout for, including:<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/newspress-collage-23611484-1692786918487.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nHoliday warning to anyone heading to Spain over new outbreak of mpox<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/newspress-collage-23603414-1692743551714.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nDocs perform UK\u2019s 1st womb transplant with living donor – the patient's sister<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/tp-composite-fast-food-sex-new.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nHere's how long it would take to burn off calories from fave food by having sex<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/KH-COMP-TAP-WATER-v2-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>\nMap reveals exactly where you can and can't drink tap water on holiday<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/span><\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/vet-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nVet reveals three dog toys all pet owners should never buy<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pound-coins-bank-notes-827846726-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMillions of households can apply for energy bill support worth \u00a3600 in weeks<\/h3>\n
What are the current symptoms of Covid?<\/h3>\n