For some people, coronavirus can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has subsided.
More than a million people in the UK are thought to be living with this kind of 'long covid', with many reports of people developing the condition despite having mild or no symptoms when they tested positive.
Symptoms of long covid, the NHS says, can include extreme fatigue, sleep problems and memory or concentration issues.
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Now, a probiotic has now been identified as likely to help treat the condition, according to research from a number of NHS Trusts, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
A year-long investigation was undertaken by experts at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Bedfordshire, and volunteer patients across both counties.
It found treating the gut to a blend of five different friendly bacteria called lactobacillus probiotics, combined with a chicory-rich ingredient known as an inulin, could help with acute and long-term covid symptoms.
The study involved 126 people, a third of whom had an acute Covid infection with the majority reporting a wide variety of longer term symptoms lasting over 100 days.
Results, analysed by university statisticians showed that cough, fatigue, gut and well-being scores improved.
Many said gut symptoms suffered for years were also resolved.
Probiotics can be purchased in pill form from a number of health stores and pharmacies.
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