At the same time, research is stagnating, hampered by dwindling public interest and decreasing funding.
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Very real effects on the heart, lungs… and brain
Contrary to popular belief, the long-term effects of COVID-19 are not limited to the brain. They leave lasting traces throughout the body:
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Pulmonary fibrosis, which leads to breathing difficulties.
Chronic myocarditis.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), in which the heart beats faster even with the slightest changes in position.
And above all, a weakened immune system, which makes frequent infections significantly riskier.
Dr. Cohen emphasizes: “This is not laziness. It is not psychosomatic. It is a real, multi-organ-system disease that is still insufficiently researched.”
Hope? There is a clue, but no cure yet.
Dr. Cohen is participating in clinical trials of promising treatments like paxlovide. The results are encouraging, but still limited. Of the 13 patients studied, only 5 showed temporary improvement.
We have been in a pandemic for five years. There is still no officially approved treatment for chronic COVID-19.
The fight continues, but the road ahead is long. To avoid relapses, she remains extremely vigilant and even avoids public places. Wearing a mask is not an option for her, but a necessity.
Millions of people are currently suffering from persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Often they do not receive a clear diagnosis or appropriate treatment, let alone the recognition they are entitled to.
Dr. Cohen's story reminds us that one can be a doctor and a patient at the same time. That one can know everything about the disease... and still be protected from it.
Are you or someone you know suffering from chronic COVID-19? Share this story to break the silence surrounding this still taboo disease.
