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<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><channel><title>COVID-19 | smithsonianmag.com</title><link>https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/covid-19/</link><description>RSS feed for COVID-19</description><atom:link href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/covid-19/" rel="self"/><language>en</language><lastBuildDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000</lastBuildDate><item><title>For Many Americans, Covid Is Still a Chronic, Disabling Disease. These Scientists Are Working Tirelessly to Bring Them Relief</title><link>https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/many-americans-covid-still-chronic-disabling-disease-scientists-working-tirelessly-bring-them-relief-180989290/</link><description>Long Covid saps the strength and vitality of patients, who have little recourse to fight it. A team of specialists—including an afflicted researcher working mostly from her bed—is looking for answers</description><pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/many-americans-covid-still-chronic-disabling-disease-scientists-working-tirelessly-bring-them-relief-180989290/</guid><enclosure length="1232376" type="image/jpeg" url="https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/PcfwoKYEY_OW4r2jlP1sX5lVxI0=/420x240/filters:focal(960x640:961x641)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/99/07/9907ed1f-0a19-4cb8-84d9-ac213cdf770a/0g6a0691.jpg"/></item><item><title>Covid-19 Can Reawaken Dormant Viruses in the Body, Which Might Worsen Symptoms of the Respiratory Illness, Study Suggests</title><link>https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/covid-19-can-reawaken-dormant-viruses-in-the-body-which-might-worsen-symptoms-of-the-respiratory-illness-study-suggests-180989322/</link><description>Most people carry a sleeping virus in their bodies, such as the herpesvirus that causes mononucleosis, or the “kissing disease.” A new study hints that Covid-19 triggers their reactivation, which could worsen symptoms and increase the risk of long Covid</description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 20:06:16 +0000</pubDate><guid>https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/covid-19-can-reawaken-dormant-viruses-in-the-body-which-might-worsen-symptoms-of-the-respiratory-illness-study-suggests-180989322/</guid><enclosure length="261768" type="image/jpeg" url="https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/uKeIpfGF-bbPiM-zxZ_kSibHMFI=/420x240/filters:focal(400x312:401x313)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/aa/6b/aa6baee5-7e62-4341-8fb8-6a36ee00754b/49535193876_8ec9df4dc7_c.jpg"/></item></channel></rss>