Read on Twitter
We now have a name for all those Covid-19 sequelae: "Long Haul Syndrome" or LHS.
What exactly is included in LHS?
It includes: https://www.wbrc.com/2020/08/31/beware-covid-long-haul-syndrome-it-may-have-lingering-symptoms/
What exactly is included in LHS?
It includes: https://www.wbrc.com/2020/08/31/beware-covid-long-haul-syndrome-it-may-have-lingering-symptoms/
2/
Brain fog
Depression (including flat affects)
Alopecia (hair falling out)
Cardiomyopathy/recurrent chest pain
Impaired pulmonary function
Scarred lungs
Reduced kidney function
Impaired cognition
Memory loss
Debilitating fatigue/encephalomyelitis
Migraine headaches
Brain fog
Depression (including flat affects)
Alopecia (hair falling out)
Cardiomyopathy/recurrent chest pain
Impaired pulmonary function
Scarred lungs
Reduced kidney function
Impaired cognition
Memory loss
Debilitating fatigue/encephalomyelitis
Migraine headaches
3/
Arthritis (inflamed joints)
Strokes/transient ischemic attacks
Paresthesias (numbness)
Weight loss
Sleep disturbances
Exercise intolerance
Sensory loss/loss of smell
Blood clots/endovascular disease
Hyperthroidism
Paralysis
https://worldneurologyonline.com/article/long-haul-covid/
Arthritis (inflamed joints)
Strokes/transient ischemic attacks
Paresthesias (numbness)
Weight loss
Sleep disturbances
Exercise intolerance
Sensory loss/loss of smell
Blood clots/endovascular disease
Hyperthroidism
Paralysis
https://worldneurologyonline.com/article/long-haul-covid/
4/
Tinnitus
Flashes or floaters in vision
Night sweats
There may be others. These have been seen commonly enough that physicians are comfortable in thinking of them as part of LHS. It's a long list. It's an involved list, and none of these symptoms of LHS is benign.
Tinnitus
Flashes or floaters in vision
Night sweats
There may be others. These have been seen commonly enough that physicians are comfortable in thinking of them as part of LHS. It's a long list. It's an involved list, and none of these symptoms of LHS is benign.
5/
This is flu. Flu isn't near this damaging. Not even close.
For a 21 year old with impaired cognition, there has to be some hope for
At one time, there was the thought that the longer you were sick with Covid-19, the worse the sequelae/the more sequelae you would have.
This is flu. Flu isn't near this damaging. Not even close.
For a 21 year old with impaired cognition, there has to be some hope for
At one time, there was the thought that the longer you were sick with Covid-19, the worse the sequelae/the more sequelae you would have.
6/
That's not the case.
What is the basis for having or not having these sequelae? We don't yet know. LHS seems to affect women more often than men, but men experience it too.
And as for treatment, it's individual symptoms. That not particularly satisfying, and it may take a
That's not the case.
What is the basis for having or not having these sequelae? We don't yet know. LHS seems to affect women more often than men, but men experience it too.
And as for treatment, it's individual symptoms. That not particularly satisfying, and it may take a
7/
while for some to resolve, like depression or impaired cognition.
It would be good if there were more than episodic treatment, but as yet there isn't any. https://elemental.medium.com/new-survey-identifies-98-long-lasting-covid-symptoms-87935b258a3e
while for some to resolve, like depression or impaired cognition.
It would be good if there were more than episodic treatment, but as yet there isn't any. https://elemental.medium.com/new-survey-identifies-98-long-lasting-covid-symptoms-87935b258a3e
8/
To give an idea of how many have LHS, in the UK, today, the estimated number is 600,000+.
( https://inews.co.uk/news/long-reads/long-haul-covid-19-post-viral-fatigue-syndrome-explained-573775)
To give an idea of how many have LHS, in the UK, today, the estimated number is 600,000+.
( https://inews.co.uk/news/long-reads/long-haul-covid-19-post-viral-fatigue-syndrome-explained-573775)
9/
How long will LHS last for? We don't yet know, but it seems to last long enough that we haven't seen that many people recover from it as yet. Hopefully, that situation will improve (knowledge-wise and shorter periods). https://www.fastcompany.com/90535961/what-we-know-so-far-about-long-haul-covid-the-next-chapter-in-our-pandemic-nightmare
How long will LHS last for? We don't yet know, but it seems to last long enough that we haven't seen that many people recover from it as yet. Hopefully, that situation will improve (knowledge-wise and shorter periods). https://www.fastcompany.com/90535961/what-we-know-so-far-about-long-haul-covid-the-next-chapter-in-our-pandemic-nightmare
10/
So, you might ask, if there isn't a treatment and there are all of these sequelae, what's someone to do who is suffering from one or more of them following clearance of the virus from their body? https://time.com/5880191/long-haul-covid-19/
So, you might ask, if there isn't a treatment and there are all of these sequelae, what's someone to do who is suffering from one or more of them following clearance of the virus from their body? https://time.com/5880191/long-haul-covid-19/
11/
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of answers to offer. As I noted, treatment today is symptom-based. But some symptoms, especially those involving the nervous system, are less amenable to treatment. And some https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/08/long-haulers-covid-19-recognition-support-groups-symptoms/615382/
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of answers to offer. As I noted, treatment today is symptom-based. But some symptoms, especially those involving the nervous system, are less amenable to treatment. And some https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/08/long-haulers-covid-19-recognition-support-groups-symptoms/615382/
12/
like scarring in the lungs (seen in patients as young as 10 years old), are likely either permanent or likely to take years to recover from in the more severe cases. https://theconversation.com/im-a-covid-19-long-hauler-and-an-epidemiologist-heres-how-it-feels-when-symptoms-last-for-months-143676
like scarring in the lungs (seen in patients as young as 10 years old), are likely either permanent or likely to take years to recover from in the more severe cases. https://theconversation.com/im-a-covid-19-long-hauler-and-an-epidemiologist-heres-how-it-feels-when-symptoms-last-for-months-143676
13/
Because of a possible endovascular component, one course of treatment being talked about are nitrogen-based vasodilators like Viagra and Cialis. But will they do anything is hard to say just yet. https://www.waff.com/2020/09/01/beware-covid-long-haul-syndrome-it-may-have-lingering-symptoms/
Because of a possible endovascular component, one course of treatment being talked about are nitrogen-based vasodilators like Viagra and Cialis. But will they do anything is hard to say just yet. https://www.waff.com/2020/09/01/beware-covid-long-haul-syndrome-it-may-have-lingering-symptoms/
14/
It's hard to say much beyond this at the moment, and I haven't included all the information available in the interest of brevity.
There are also unknowns. For instance, can a 21 year old have so much lung damage as to preclude sex?
It's hard to say much beyond this at the moment, and I haven't included all the information available in the interest of brevity.
There are also unknowns. For instance, can a 21 year old have so much lung damage as to preclude sex?
15/
For the moment, at least, we don't know.
There is a support group that might be helpful, though it isn't for people with LHS alone: The Survivor Corps. https://www.survivorcorps.com
For the moment, at least, we don't know.
There is a support group that might be helpful, though it isn't for people with LHS alone: The Survivor Corps. https://www.survivorcorps.com
16/
As I've noted before, in an epidemiologist's view, the pandemic isn't about cases and deaths alone. It's more about hospitalizations and sequelae.
There are a lot of sequelae.
Now, consider, Dr. Scott Adams, a neuroradiologist currently
As I've noted before, in an epidemiologist's view, the pandemic isn't about cases and deaths alone. It's more about hospitalizations and sequelae.
There are a lot of sequelae.
Now, consider, Dr. Scott Adams, a neuroradiologist currently
17/
serving as Trump's advisor on Covid-19, has stated that he favors a "herd immunity approach." (Never mind that this concept refers to vaccines--basic Epidemiology 101 material. Guess they forgot to teach that in the neuroradiology residency.)
serving as Trump's advisor on Covid-19, has stated that he favors a "herd immunity approach." (Never mind that this concept refers to vaccines--basic Epidemiology 101 material. Guess they forgot to teach that in the neuroradiology residency.)
18/
Basically, what he means is to have the pandemic go through the population, infecting people along the way until so many people have been infected that transmission of the virus stops.
This is what the Swedes are doing.
Basically, what he means is to have the pandemic go through the population, infecting people along the way until so many people have been infected that transmission of the virus stops.
This is what the Swedes are doing.
19/
Sweden has the highest death rate in Europe. Yes, Sweden's economy didn't tank as much as Denmark's, say, but it did experience reductions in consumer spending, for instance.
If Dr. Adam's approach is implemented in the US, expect many more people to experience LHS,
Sweden has the highest death rate in Europe. Yes, Sweden's economy didn't tank as much as Denmark's, say, but it did experience reductions in consumer spending, for instance.
If Dr. Adam's approach is implemented in the US, expect many more people to experience LHS,
20/
and expect the economy to take a hit in reduced productivity and the cost of care for treating all of these sequelae.
Or we could try to minimize transmission pending the release of a tested, effective, safe vaccine.
In any case, LHS is real, and it can be debilitating.
and expect the economy to take a hit in reduced productivity and the cost of care for treating all of these sequelae.
Or we could try to minimize transmission pending the release of a tested, effective, safe vaccine.
In any case, LHS is real, and it can be debilitating.
21/
If you are experiencing it, please take it seriously and consult with your personal physician. Something may be done about some of the sequelae, but even if there isn't anything to be done, it might remove any anxiety/concern you have about it to know that you are
If you are experiencing it, please take it seriously and consult with your personal physician. Something may be done about some of the sequelae, but even if there isn't anything to be done, it might remove any anxiety/concern you have about it to know that you are
22/
experiencing LHS.
I hope that this info has been helpful.
experiencing LHS.
I hope that this info has been helpful.
