[Lewis Thomson (OP)]

Liam would like some help answering this question.

"With lots of restrictions ending because of Omicron causing fewer deaths and hospitalisations comparatively, is there any evidence so far either way on the question of whether Omicron is less likely to cause Long Covid?

As someone who has had post-viral illness before from a normal flu, if the disease is still causing chronic symptoms in about 20% of people and is allowed to run through the population unrestricted, to be blunt, this does sound pretty terrifying, so is there perhaps much evidence to confirm or assuage these fears, and if the former, if there is any practical advice for coping with a return to a full normal?"

Discuss in the comments below...

[evan_au]

There are some hints that Omicron might cause less long-Covid than the previous Delta outbreak:
- Omicron tends to infect the upper airways, while Delta infected deep into the lungs, causing scarring and blocking of capillaries in the lung. One form of Long Covid is long-term (perhaps permanent?) loss of lung capacity, so that seems less likely with Omicron.
- About 40% of people who caught Delta (and earlier variants) reported a loss of smell and/or taste; this ratio seems to be lower with Omicron. The cause seems to be that COVID attacks nerve-supporting cells like astrocytes, killing the sense of smell. Peripheral nerves (like the olfactory bulb) are good at regrowth. However, astrocytes are also present in the brain, and nerves in the brain are not good at regrowth. MRI studies showed that people with confirmed Covid had more brain shrinkage than those without confirmed Covid. "Brain Fog" is one symptom of Long Covid, so that seems less likely with Omicron.

While Omicron is the main game in town today, Delta is still hanging around. A few days ago, I heard that in Australia, Delta is making up around 3% of new infections.
With the reduction of Omicron, Pubic Health measures are being relaxed. So after Omicron dies down, Delta will still be present, and spreading. At least the vaccines are more effective against Delta, so get vaccinated & a booster.