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...

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...

Introduction The rapid development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines have been monumental in combating the global pandemic, saving countless lives and enabling societies to regain a sense of normalcy. Central to the efficacy of many of these vaccines, particularly mRNA and viral vector-based ones, is the spike protein—a key component of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that facilitates its entry into human cells. By instructing the body to produce a version of this protein, vaccines train the immune system to recognize and neutralize the virus without causing illness. However, as vaccination campaigns expanded, so did public curiosity and concern about the spike protein's role, fueled by a mix of scientific complexity, misinformation, and distrust. This article aims to cut through the noise by providing a fact-based exploration of the spike protein in COVID-19 vaccines. Drawing on peer-reviewed studies, expert insights, and data from health authorities, we unpack common claims, clarify the s...