There is accumulating evidence that SARS-CoV-2 persists in the body long after the initial Covid infection — especially in the stomach, intestines, and other parts of the gastrointestinal system. A leading theory suggests this “reservoir” of virus may be responsible for many of the chronic symptoms of Long Covid, both in the gut (e.g., inflammatory bowel diseases) and elsewhere in the body.

In babies and children, the impact of the persistent virus in the “microbiome” can significantly impact the development of the immune system, potentially leading affected kids to suffer from higher susceptibility to disease and other dangerous outcomes.