A lot of viral infections impact cortisol in humans. Infection tends to ramp up cortisol levels, but prolonged or chronic infection can both deplete cortisol (s

A lot of viral infections impact cortisol in humans. Infection tends to ramp up cortisol levels, but prolonged or chronic infection can both deplete cortisol (so called adrenal fatigue) and/or make the body more resistant to the effects of cortisol. This is seen in the extreme in the case of HIV. I assume cortisol resistance is analogous to insulin resistance in prediabetics. Apparently chronic stress can have similar effects. And chronic stress may be associated with chronic viral reactivation. [1] Great comment! Interestingly, depleted cortisol levels from chronic stress may be associated with the development of long covid. [2] I wonder if down the road we will see that people who have had long covid are at increased risk of developing or exacerbating obesity. [1] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8470332/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8470332/ [2] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9519365/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9519365/