Covid Long: The Silent Disease
- The lingering effects of COVID-19 continue to affect millions, disrupting lives and challenging healthcare systems.
- In a home overlooking mount Mézenc, Johanna, 18, prepares for her day, marked by alarms and the need to manage her blood sugar levels.
- While the acute phase of the pandemic has faded from public consciousness, long COVID continues to affect an estimated two million adults and 700,000 children and adolescents, according...
Long COVID’s Impact on Lives
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The lingering effects of COVID-19 continue to affect millions, disrupting lives and challenging healthcare systems.
In a home overlooking mount Mézenc, Johanna, 18, prepares for her day, marked by alarms and the need to manage her blood sugar levels. Her sister, Laetitia, 22, faces similar challenges, including gluten intolerance that exacerbates her symptoms. Both sisters have been battling long COVID for five years, a condition that has forced them to rely on wheelchairs and oxygen for relief from extreme fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties.
While the acute phase of the pandemic has faded from public consciousness, long COVID continues to affect an estimated two million adults and 700,000 children and adolescents, according to Public Health data. The condition manifests in various ways, including blood microcoagulation issues, deregulated microbiota, and post-exertional malaise that can trigger palpitations and exhaustion.
Long COVID concerns patients who keep prolonged symptoms,
says one infectiologist, noting that symptoms persist for at least two months following the initial infection. For Johanna and Laetitia, these symptoms have persisted for five years, casting a shadow over what should be their prime years.
Onset and Diagnosis
Laetitia experienced initial symptoms, including gastric pain, after contracting COVID-19 in March 2020. Johanna, who was in germany on an exchange program, contracted the virus in June 2020 and experienced persistent fatigue. By autumn, she was struggling with dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and hair loss.She attended school sporadically before eventually being forced to stop.
Laetitia began psychology studies but contracted the virus again in September 2020. Faced with persistent symptoms, her mother sought answers online. Medical consultations became frequent, but a doctor admitted the challenges of treating the unknown aspects of the virus. Laetitia experienced falls, convulsions, and migraines, initially attributed to psychiatric disorders. though, after a year of follow-up, medical professionals suggested exploring physiological causes. In 2022, heart issues emerged, leading to further investigation.
The diagnosis of long COVID was eventually made in the spring of 2022,at hospitals in Marseille and Montpellier. Despite the diagnosis, the sisters’ lives remained significantly altered.
Before their illness, the sisters were academically gifted and had advanced two years ahead in school. Johanna had dreams of attending an aeronautical school and had to give up hobbies such as horse riding, violin, and archery.the condition also affected their emotional experiences.
500 kilometers away, another family faced similar struggles. A Norwegian translator living in Sables-d’Olonne sought help for her 12-year-old son, Léonard, who experienced severe fatigue after contracting COVID-19. Concerned about potential misdiagnosis, she contacted an Italian pediatrician specializing in pediatric long COVID. Léonard was diagnosed with thrombo-inflammation and treated with anticoagulants.
Leonardo was seriously ill, unable to eat,
the pediatrician said. In these serious cases, it is indeed ethical to discuss possible therapies with the family, based on what we certainly know about the physiopathology of the disease and using drugs which we use in other conditions.
The family eventually administered the treatment themselves. Léonard’s condition improved,and he was able to return to school part-time. The family plans to travel to Italy in the spring for further care.
Some patients can really improve with support treatment,
the pediatrician said. But practitioners are left alone, like patients. It’s the same everywhere, including in Italy …
One medical professional predicts that long COVID will become a more recognized condition,similar to how cancers were discovered. He has established a care pathway in his establishment, diagnosing 400 patients last year. He notes that while some patients recover fully, a significant portion experiences partial recovery or no betterment.
The economic impact of long COVID is also significant. One think-tank estimates the financial loss in France for 2024 at 21 billion euros, due to factors such as workforce attrition and sick leave.
There is still hope,
says one professor. Nothing stops research. We will set up diagnostic tests and therapeutic trials then.
Johanna and Laetitia have an appointment in Italy,holding onto it as their last hope.
Long COVID: A Q&A Guide
The lingering effects of COVID-19 continue to affect millions, disrupting lives and challenging healthcare systems.
What is Long COVID?
Long COVID is a condition where individuals experience prolonged symptoms after an initial COVID-19 infection. These symptoms can persist for months or even years, significantly impacting daily life. An infectiologist noted that symptoms persist for at least two months following the initial infection.For some, like sisters johanna and laetitia, these symptoms have lasted for five years.
What are the Common Symptoms of Long COVID?
The symptoms of Long COVID are varied and can affect multiple body systems.These can include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Cognitive difficulties (brain fog)
- Pain
- Blood microcoagulation issues
- Deregulated microbiota
- Post-exertional malaise (PEM), which can trigger palpitations and exhaustion
When Does Long COVID Typically Develop?
Symptoms can appear during the initial infection or develop weeks or months later. As an example, in the provided article, Laetitia experienced initial gastric pains after contracting COVID-19 in March 2020. Johanna experienced fatigue after contracting the virus in June 2020.
How is Long COVID Diagnosed?
Diagnosing long COVID can be complex. Initially,symptoms might be misattributed. Medical consultations become frequent, but a doctor admitted the challenges of treating the unknown aspects of the virus. Though it is indeed a challenge, it’s vital to keep following up with medical professionals and seeking answers.
What is the Impact of Long COVID?
Long COVID profoundly impacts both individual lives and the broader economy. For individuals, it can lead to:
- significant lifestyle changes: such as reliance on wheelchairs and oxygen.
- Loss of educational or career opportunities.
- Emotional distress and challenges.
One think-tank estimates the financial loss in France for 2024 at 21 billion euros, due to factors such as workforce attrition and sick leave.
Can Long COVID symptoms be made better?
It is seen that with the right care, some patients can improve with support treatments.
Doctors are continuously working, and research continues to bring hope to those suffering.
Is There Hope for Treatment?
yes, research and medical advancements offer hope. One medical professional has established a care pathway and diagnosed 400 patients in the past year. Research continues, with the expectation of diagnostic tests and therapeutic trials being set up.
Timeline of Long COVID
| Event | Description |
|---|---|
| March 2020 | laetitia experienced gastric pain after contracting COVID-19. |
| June 2020 | Johanna contracted the virus, experiencing persistent fatigue. |
| September 2020 | Laetitia contracted the virus again. |
| 2022 | Diagnosis of long COVID was eventually made. |