Long COVID symptoms range from general fatigue to respiratory and heart problems to neurological changes. These set in from as early as four weeks after infection to months later.
In July 2021, Post-COVID Conditions was added under the Americans with Disabilities Act as a condition that could result in disability.
The US Government and Accountability Office estimates between 7.7 to 23 million people in the U.S. are experiencing long COVID symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, underlying health conditions, not getting vaccinated, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome all increase a person’s chance of experiencing long COVID symptoms.
Additionally, reports warn long COVID will deepen already existing health disparities. Symptoms are more likely to be experienced by people with underlying health complications.
In Indiana, more than 2 million COVID cases have been recorded. Of nearly 7 million residents, more than 3.8 million people in Indiana completed the primary series of vaccines. But now, only 876,761 Hoosiers are up to date.
America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report put Indiana at 35th overall in national health, basing its findings on factors like access to clinical care, prevalence of chronic conditions, and health outcomes. The report said Indiana’s greatest health challenges include high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions, a high occupational fatality rate, and high prevalence of cigarette smoking.
Some medications have been found to help prevent onset of symptoms in COVID patients. And getting vaccinated decreases your chances of developing long term complications after infection. But researchers are still looking for reliable ways to treat patients.
WFIU/WTIU News wants to hear about your experience with long COVID. When did you start to experience symptoms? How has it affected your life? What healthcare resources are available for you? Anything you’d like to share? We’re looking to interview people, to help bring Hoosier stories about long COVID to light.
