The COVID Advisor

Abstract Long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), affects millions worldwide, manifesting as persistent symptoms including fatigue, cognitive impairment, and multi-organ dysfunction. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the role of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein in long COVID pathophysiology, focusing on mechanisms such as persistent inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. We searched major databases using keywords related to "SARS-CoV-2 spike protein," "long COVID," and "post-acute sequelae," identifying 76 relevant studies published up to August 2025. Key findings indicate that persistent S protein, detected in tissues up to 4 years post-infection, drives chronic inflammation via TLR4 activation and cytokine dysregulation (1, 2). Therapeutic targets include S protein-neutralizing agents and autophagy enhancers. This review highlights the need for longitudinal studies to confirm...

Overview A new COVID-19 variant, identified as NB.1.8.1, has recently emerged and is drawing international attention due to its increasing prevalence, particularly in China, and its detection in the United States and other countries. December 2025 Update: The Stratus Variant (XFG): Symptoms, Global Spread, and Impact in Late 2025 1. Emergence and Spread of NB.1.8.1 Origin and Detection: NB.1.8.1 was first identified as a significant driver of rising COVID-19 cases in China. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed its presence in the United States, though as of late May 2025, fewer than 20 cases had been reported domestically. Global Spread: The World Health Organization (WHO) and multiple health authorities have noted that NB.1.8.1 is now spreading worldwide, with cases reported in several countries. Its rapid dissemination has raised concerns about potential increases in COVID-19 cases in various regions. 2. Variant Characteristics Genetic Profile: NB.1.8.1...

An adviser to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who voted in favor of a respiratory syncytial virus antibody for infants says new data that has come to light indicates that the vote was based on presentations that omitted crucial information. “It appears that this decision was based on manipulated data analyses,” Dr. Robert Malone, a member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), said in a blog post on Aug. 20. Malone and four other members of the panel in June voted to advise the CDC to recommend the antibody called clesrovimab for infants to try to prevent respiratory syncytial virus. Known as RSV, the virus typically causes mild symptoms such as a cold but can, in some cases, lead to severe problems and, according to the CDC, is a leading cause of infant hospitalization. Two members voted to advise the CDC not to recommend clesrovimab. The vote followed presentations by CDC epidemiologist Adam MacNeil and Dr. Matthew Daley, who works cl...

Health officials in Guangdong province in southern China are waging an all-out war against mosquitoes in response to an outbreak of the chikungunya virus that's sickened thousands with fever, rashes and joint pain over the past month. Soldiers are fogging streets and parks in the city of Foshan with insecticide. Community workers are going door-to-door to look for stagnant water, where mosquitoes can breed. People who test positive are reportedly being forced to hospitalize to isolate themselves, says Yanzhong Huang , senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. "It's reminiscent of the COVID-19 tactics," he says, where citizens were extremely restricted in their activities to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Some of the current measures are likely overkill, says Huang. Chikungunya is rarely fatal, and the mosquito-borne virus can't spread through the air. But mosquitoes easily pick it up from infected people. And because chikungunya outbreak...