A new NorthwesternMed study of 52 COVID long haulers, who were not hospitalized, found that most continued to experience neurologic symptoms, fatigue and compromised quality of life up to 18 months after their initial infection.
Wheaton resident Emily Caffee, 36, was a competitive rower before she contracted COVID-19. Thanks to our sponsors:“Before my infection, I was working as a hospital physical therapist – a very physical, cognitively demanding job – training six days a week for indoor rowing competitions,” Caffee said.
, who were not hospitalized and only experienced mild symptoms like cough and sore throat, found that most continued to experience neurologic symptoms, fatigue and compromised quality of life up to 18 months after their initial infection. that found 85% of long haulers experienced four or more neurologic symptoms that impacted their quality of life. For the new study, researchers analyzed patients six to nine months after their initial visit to the Northwestern Medicine Neuro COVID-19 Clinic.
Researchers found increases in heart rate and blood pressure variations and gastrointestinal symptoms at follow-up appointments compared with initial visits.