People who were severely ill with COVID-19 are more likely to have long COVID or develop health problems, according to the CDC.
The majority of people who get COVID-19 recover, but 1 in 5 adult Americans have long COVID, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
More studies are underway to better understand long COVID, but its symptoms include everything from brain fog and shortness of breath to depression and even organ damage. These symptoms can profoundly change someone’s life.
In this episode, we talk to two Tennesseans who are living with COVID and medical professionals to better understand what this condition is and available treatment.
But first, host Khalil Ekulona and digital lead Anna Gallegos-Cannon respond to listener feedback and preview future episodes in @Us!
Guests:
- Barbara VanMeter-Nivens, living with long COVID
- Suzanne Martin, living with long COVID
- Dr. Jim Jackson, director of behavioral health and ICU recovery center at the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center and a specialist with Vanderbilt’s post COVID clinic
- Dr. Brent Snader, internal medicine and pediatric doctor at Siloam Health
Additional reading:
- WPLN: A long COVID patient in Hendersonville shows just how little is known about treatment
- Nashville Post: Q&A: Sara Martin with VUMC’s long COVID clinic
- The Tennessean – Opinion: COVID long-haulers need your help to be invisible no more
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