Authors: Timothy Poor, Amy McQueen
Dr. Maureen Lyons wants people to know that “Long COVID” is not a “made up” condition.
“It’s absolutely real”, she said of the COVID symptoms that linger for months – or longer. Dr. Lyons is the director of the CARE (Care and Resources for COVID-19) Clinic at Washington University, which has served patients with Long COVID since it opened in October 2020. “Long COVID is being increasingly recognized, and it’s very complex,” she said in a recent interview with researchers at the Health Communication Research Laboratory at the Brown School.
Long COVID is being increasingly recognized, and it’s very complex.
Dr. Maureen Lyons
She also wants people to know that anyone who gets COVID can develop Long COVID, even if they’ve been vaccinated – although vaccinations still reduce the chances of developing COVID and thus, Long COVID, and how severe it gets. Although people who were hospitalized for COVID may be more likely to have Long COVID, even those with mild symptoms are also at risk. Symptoms typically remain or get worse within a couple of weeks after infection. “Every case is a little different,” Dr. Lyons says, but the most common symptoms of Long COVID are:
- Fatigue – complete body exhaustion
- Brain fog – memory problems, trouble finding the words you want to say
- Shortness of breath, continued respiratory symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise (extreme physical or cognitive fatigue 12-48 hours after physical activity, which can be as light as showering)
Although a diagnosis of Long COVID doesn’t end the patient’s symptoms, Dr. Lyons says many patients who come to the clinic suspect they have Long COVID and are relieved when their suspicions are confirmed. “Most often people are very grateful for having their symptoms and experiences listened to and believed and validated,” she says.
Most often people are very grateful for having their symptoms and experiences listened to and believed and validated.
Dr. Maureen Lyons
The good news is that Long COVID symptoms can usually be managed effectively by making the best use of a patient’s limited energy. Patients who are able to use effective behavioral strategies to manage their energy typically see improvement in their symptoms over time. Some patients have benefited from breathing exercises and mild physical activity.
Dr. Lyons wants people to know that there are no blood tests or x-rays that can diagnose Long COVID. If someone is experiencing new or prolonged symptoms after a COVID infection, they should talk with their healthcare team who can evaluate their symptoms. Along with standard diagnostic tools to help doctors diagnose Long COVID, Dr. Lyons hopes that fast moving research will help doctors understand the causes of Long COVID and develop targeted treatments for patients.
The CARE (Care and Resources for COVID-19) Clinic at Washington University in St. Louis (314-362-8103) helps people who have continued symptoms or complications from COVID three months after a positive COVID test.