Covid-19 'long haulers' continue to have symptoms

Smith describes the same: “Now, we're also seeing more outpatients [people who were never admitted to the hospital] who are able to walk, but they need oxygen long term” to help relieve

shortness of breath, he says. And even with oxygen therapy “they still get winded very easily, can't climb stairs like they used to, that sort of thing.” Doctors don't know for

sure what's causing these drawn-out symptoms, but many point to an inflammatory response as the likely culprit. “It's the body reacting to the virus that was there, and then the

body reacting to the damage caused by the inflammation from before. And basically, it's this ongoing vicious cycle,” Smith says. Other viral illnesses can also result in chronic

symptoms, including SARS and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). “But what is different is that [the lasting symptoms] seem to be more common and more magnified with COVID,” says Gerard

Francisco, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston. “I've never quite seen anything like

this,” Smith adds. THE GOOD NEWS: REHABILITATION THERAPIES CAN HELP Frisby, who says he is “pretty much back to normal now,” considers himself fortunate for the care he has received for his

longer-term COVID-19 symptoms, adding that he was “far luckier than some people” who were dismissed by their doctors or didn't feel empowered to seek follow-up care. His advice: Be

aggressive. “You can't just sit back,” he says. Though no single pill can cure what's being dubbed “long COVID,” doctors can help with “non-medication, nonsurgical rehabilitation

approaches,” UTHealth's Francisco says. For example, individuals experiencing lingering fatigue can benefit from a reconditioning program. And people with cognitive issues can recover

with the help of a neuropsychologist. "Those who are having trouble getting back to work, we can even help with a work reintegration program,” Francisco says. “These are not the typical

treatments that you would think of for someone recovering from a viral infection, but I think they may help some of our patients experiencing these problems.” Johns Hopkins’ Raju says

medical professionals are becoming more aware of COVID-19's long-term effects and can help patients devise a plan of treatment or refer them to a specialist who can help. Some hospitals

and universities have established post-COVID-19 teams and centers to help long-haulers recover. All the while, researchers are conducting studies in search of more answers and effective

interventions. "The more we learn about the long-term effects of COVID, the better prepared we will be” for any future coronavirus surges, Francisco says. “We were really initially in

the dark as to how to help these individuals. But now that we know better, we will be better prepared.”