Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center has launched a specialized program to treat COVID-19 long haulers, people who are still experiencing symptoms long after they contracted the virus.Doctors at Dartmouth-Hitchcock said 10-30% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experience lingering symptoms, and it has become a significant problem for many.Ken Varrato had a severe case of COVID-19 and was not expected to survive. He returned home, recovering, but is still battling symptoms. “I have what you call COVID fatigue, where your stamina is just not as good as it normally was,” Varrato said.He also experiences brain fog, another classic symptom of a COVID long hauler. Doctors said others may include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, fatigue and body aches.“They are quite a diverse group of symptoms, and we don’t really know what causes them,” infectious disease physician Dr. Jeffery Parsonnet said. “So, this clinic is to address that problem.”Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s program to treat COVID long haulers will offer information and, in some cases, some specialty care. “I think a lot of people who have this problem really want to be heard. They want to be validated that yes, this is from COVID. They want information, and they want a prognosis,” Parsonnet said.Patients will have access to a medical team specializing in the various health problems they’re seeing. There could also be opportunities for research. Doctors said patients will be seen if their symptoms started after their COVID-19 diagnosis, and they must be referred by their doctor.“I’m hoping that when they find people who will listen to them and validate their concerns and symptoms, that will satisfy some people that we are doing our best,” Parsonnet said. The program’s team of doctors will expand as they learn more about the symptoms and how to improve quality of life for patients. >> MORE FROM WMUR: CDC meeting wraps up with no recommendation; pause on J&J administration will continue
MANCHESTER, N.H. —
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center has launched a specialized program to treat COVID-19 long haulers, people who are still experiencing symptoms long after they contracted the virus.
Doctors at Dartmouth-Hitchcock said 10-30% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experience lingering symptoms, and it has become a significant problem for many.
Ken Varrato had a severe case of COVID-19 and was not expected to survive. He returned home, recovering, but is still battling symptoms.
“I have what you call COVID fatigue, where your stamina is just not as good as it normally was,” Varrato said.
He also experiences brain fog, another classic symptom of a COVID long hauler. Doctors said others may include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, fatigue and body aches.
“They are quite a diverse group of symptoms, and we don’t really know what causes them,” infectious disease physician Dr. Jeffery Parsonnet said. “So, this clinic is to address that problem.”
Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s program to treat COVID long haulers will offer information and, in some cases, some specialty care.
“I think a lot of people who have this problem really want to be heard. They want to be validated that yes, this is from COVID. They want information, and they want a prognosis,” Parsonnet said.
Patients will have access to a medical team specializing in the various health problems they’re seeing. There could also be opportunities for research. Doctors said patients will be seen if their symptoms started after their COVID-19 diagnosis, and they must be referred by their doctor.
“I’m hoping that when they find people who will listen to them and validate their concerns and symptoms, that will satisfy some people that we are doing our best,” Parsonnet said.
The program’s team of doctors will expand as they learn more about the symptoms and how to improve quality of life for patients.
>> MORE FROM WMUR: CDC meeting wraps up with no recommendation; pause on J&J administration will continue