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COVID-19 and Flu: Lasting Effects on Lungs and Brain (Level A1) — a tree covered in snow next to a forest

COVID-19 and Flu: Lasting Effects on Lungs and BrainCEFR A1

27 Feb 2026

Adapted from Leslie Tate-Tulane, Futurity CC BY 4.0

Photo by Danny Rienecker, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
75 words
  • COVID-19 can cause lasting changes in the body.
  • Scientists used mice to study both infections closely.
  • The lungs showed signs of lasting injury after infection.
  • More collagen formed and scarring changed lung tissue.
  • Breathing problems can continue after infection ends.
  • Flu lungs began to repair the airway lining.
  • COVID-19 lungs did not show that repair response.
  • Some mice had ongoing inflammation in the brain.
  • These brain changes can affect mood, thinking and energy.

Difficult words

  • lastingcontinuing for a long time after an event
  • infectiondisease caused by a germ in the body
    infections
  • scarringhard or thick tissue after injury
  • collagena protein in the body that makes tissue strong
  • inflammationbody response causing redness and swelling

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Have you had breathing problems after an illness?
  • Do you feel tired after being sick?
  • Would you see a doctor for long symptoms?

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