Interview with @franhaddock_ who has Severe ME and Long COVID on BBC Sheffield (6 mins)
Interview is about being 98% bedbound and the new report on the prevalence of Long COVID and the inequalities it has highlighted. Also mentions #MECFS
“Covid disabled me, took away my entire life. Reinfection made me a lot sicker, twice. Experts warn about reinfection and covid isn't gone.
Yet nobody who comes to visit me masks or tests or even asks me what precaution they should take.”
Understatement: “…getting multiple Covid infections increases the chance of short- and long-term effects on the body, including the heart and lungs. So, even if we can’t totally eliminate our risk of catching it, it’s still worth trying to dodge Covid as best we can.”
A study in Argentina found that 68% of the 2,030 health workers reported having #longcovid.
The highest risks were linked to severe initial symptoms, being a nurse, working multiple jobs, and working in emergency areas
“The severity and frequency of Long COVID is purposely obscured from public discussion as part of a continued political effort to normalize constant COVID exposure.
People who take precautions to avoid COVID are making the wise decision to protect themselves and their families; they are also safeguarding their ability to work and earn money in a society that disposes of people who cannot produce. It is a rational decision; in the case of Long COVID patients, it is a necessary one.
It is also, admittedly, a very difficult lifestyle to adopt and maintain.”
“A large study published in early 2024 showed that even people who had a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection still experienced new health problems related to COVID-19 in the third year after the initial infection.
Such findings parallel other research showing that the virus persists in various organ systems for months or years after COVID-19 infection. And research is showing that immune responses to the infection are still evident two to three years after a mild infection. Together, these studies may explain why a SARS-CoV-2 infection years ago could still cause new health problems long after the initial infection.”
“The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 10–20% of people suffer from long COVID after they recover from the initial COVID infection.
Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and “brain fog”, but more than 200 different symptoms have been linked to long COVID. The condition affects daily functioning and can be debilitating.
Our research, published today, estimated the economic burden of long COVID in Australia. We calculated long COVID cost the Australian economy almost A$10 billion in 2022 alone.”
Thread:
About 3 months ago I was diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) from long covid and I would like to share how difficult and frustrating it was to get diagnosed - every step of the way.
“New interdisciplinary review was published on current Long COVID science, with a roadmap for science and policy!
It is written in plain language, so it's worth a read on its own, but I just want to pull out some highlights about what WE DO KNOW into a single thread...”
US hospitals will be required to report key COVID, flu, and RSV hospitalization data again outside of public health emergencies, after initially ending the requirement earlier this year.
Advocacy works!
“Since 2020, the condition known as long COVID-19 has become a widespread disability affecting the health and quality of life of millions of people across the globe and costing economies billions of dollars in reduced productivity of employees and an overall drop in the work force.
The intense scientific effort that long COVID sparked has resulted in more than 24,000 scientific publications, making it the most researched health condition in any four years of recorded human history.”
