Dr. Georgia Lea, a neurologist who lives in New Orleans, counts herself among the unlucky Americans who suffer from lingering symptoms of the virus.
Dr. Lea's condition is not unique. While the majority of people fully recover after contracting COVID-19, studies indicate that up to a third of people who test positive for COVID-19 may develop Long COVID., the symptoms of Long COVID, which the NIH calls"Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection," or PASC, can vary. PASC is not a"syndrome," which indicates a collection of symptoms or physical findings due to a single disease, says Dr.
But the results of that research are far off, and in the meantime, the U.S. health system is being forced to pivot. "We have been seeing higher rates of depression, anxiety and PTSD in COVID long-haulers," she said."Access to mental health services is essential in supporting their recovery."