Archive · 28 Jul 2025
Research Explores Long-COVID, ME/CFS Connection to 'Zombie' Cells
When you get sick, sometimes the problems don't go away.
Things like tiredness, fuzzy thinking, and muscle pain can stick around.
Doctors call this ME/CFS or Long-COVID.
Scientists think viruses can turn blood vessel cells into 'zombies,' causing blood clots and not enough blood flow.
This can make you feel tired, give you a headache, and make your tummy upset.
Researchers are looking for these zombie cells in patients to find better ways to help people feel better.
Long-lasting symptoms like chronic fatigue and brain fog can follow infections like COVID-19.
The symptoms are medically known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Viruses may drive endothelial cells into a 'zombie-like' state, causing blood clots and restricted blood flow.
Researchers propose that these 'zombie' cells contribute to the symptoms of long-COVID and ME/CFS.
The focus is on finding these aging endothelial cells in patients to inform treatments.
- Who
- Millions of people who have recovered from infections, including those with Long-COVID and ME/CFS.
- What
- Long-lasting symptoms like fatigue and brain fog following infections such as COVID-19 and influenza.
- When
- Symptoms can persist for months or years after the initial infection.
- Where
- The research is being conducted in labs and hospitals to study the underlying causes and develop treatments.
- Why
- Viruses may drive blood vessel cells into a 'zombie-like' state, leading to blood clots and restricted blood flow.
Current Research
Emerging Research
Understanding Cause
Current Research
The specific mechanisms causing long-COVID and ME/CFS are not fully understood.
Emerging Research
Scientists have new ideas on how these syndromes arise.
- Medical Conditions
- ME/CFS, Long-COVID
- Key Symptoms
- Chronic fatigue, brain fog, exercise intolerance
- Affected Cells
- Endothelial cells (blood vessel lining)
- Proposed Mechanism
- Viral-induced endothelial senescence ('zombie' cells)
- Estimated number of Long-Covid sufferers since 2020
- 400 million