Long COVID is the catch-all term for a hydra-headed condition whose symptoms can include brain fog, recurring shortness of breath, pain and fatigue. It is roughly estimated to affect as many as 1 in 3 people who recover from COVID-19, although the severity and duration of symptoms vary. Despite intense investigation, the causes of long COVID are not yet well understood and treatment largely focuses on helping patients cope with their symptoms as they try to rebalance daily routines.
Biden orders research push on long COVID, a still mysterious condition
Iowan’s struggle with long-haul COVID-19 enters third year
"Migraine, memory loss among recurring conditions...
IOWA CITY — Darcy Havel-Sturdevant thought she’d be working by now, two years after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Likewise, she thought she would have been there completely for her daughter, age 3 when she was first diagnosed but now 5.
“Throughout the last two years, she’s been really great with helping me if I need help,” Havel-Sturdevant, 35, of Iowa City said about her daughter, Rayne.
Havel-Sturdevant said she tried to be optimistic that COVID-19 will end for her, but more likely must accept what she called a new baseline for normal living.
IowaWatch has been following Havel-Sturdevant’s bout with COVID-19 this past year because of her extraordinary problems with the infection. She has long-haul COVID, meaning health issues tied to COVID-19 linger long after the infection leaves a person. More than one-half of people surviving COVID-19 suffer effects six months after the infection, an October Penn State University College of Medicine study showed.
Havel-Sturdevant was diagnosed with COVID-19 in April 2020, after first having pneumonia. She had another COVID-19 infection in December 2021. She, and her husband, Gabe, have been vaccinated but Havel-Sturdevant continues to suffer from migraines, memory loss and other medical problems. Moreover, she is caring for her 76-year-old mother, who has cancer and is living with her family."
New research shows long COVID is affecting young people who had mild COVID-19 cases
"“No one expected to see the long-term COVID actually occur in people who were younger,” said Roberts.
The new science also reports higher rates of long COVID in young people who had mild cases of COVID-19.
“I’m very concerned about the potential for that and how it’s going to be detrimental to young people,” said Merritt.
“I want people to know it’s real. These are young people. People in their 20s who are reporting brain fog. They’re showing cognitive decline that you see in people who are 70. So it’s not something to mess around with. You don’t just get COVID and get over it. That’s an incredibly dangerous course to attempt,” said Roberts."
