[nudephil (OP)]

Here's a question sent in from listener David:

As with COVID-19, it seems there could be many other viral, bacterial, and parasitical diseases that leave a long "tail". Chicken pox and malaria we know well, but what of those diseases where the effects are much more subtle, sub-symptomatic, or just not "worth" reporting to the GP?

This seems to be the first time there has been a widely publicised focus, in any detail, on the aftermath of an infection, to include symptoms not immediately linked to the disease. Reason dictates that multi-faceted spectra of symptoms, immune reactivity, and long term effects must exist. After all, viruses are infinitely interesting, complex, and talented in adaption and evasion. Without them it is unlikely we would exist at all.

Are any other seemingly non serious diseases of the past being considered as long diseases? Is there any correlation between zoonotic disease and idiopathic disease? Could these be the origin of many of our modern non-specific idiopathic complaints like fibromyalgia/ME, carditis, pericarditis, myriad organ dysfunctions, etc?

[evan_au]

Polio is a long-tail disease (once almost eradicated, but hanging in there, ready to break out again). Sometimes the immune system attacked the brain of polio sufferers, causing paralysis of limbs and/or breathing.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polio#Paralytic_polio

Chronic fatigue sydrome is somewhat mysterious, but possibly triggered by an infection.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_fatigue_syndrome

Type 1 diabetes has a genetic susceptibility, but is also thought to have an environmental influence, perhaps an unrecognized viral infection.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_1_diabetes#Environmental