COVID-19 “long haulers” are resistant to persistent virus symptoms

Millions of Americans are fighting the battle symptoms of COVID-19 – months after the disease has been diagnosed. An estimated 5 to 10% of COVID patients are “long haulers” who feel endlessly trapped in the grip of the virus.

After enduring COVID-19 in December, 38-year-old Camille Hlavka, a dedicated marathon runner, now often gasps. Her most cherished pursuits are a struggle, including storytelling with her 2-year-old son Reid.

“This often happens when I try to speak for longer sentences,” Hlavka said of gasping for breath.

The hardest thing for her, she said, is feeling like she’s not herself. “I never realized what a gift it was to be able to just talk,” she said.

Dr. Diana Kirke, an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Mount Sinai Hospital, found that the weakness of the vocal cords disrupted Hlavka’s speech and breathing, a likely nerve damage from COVID-19.

“What you can see right away is that the right side is weaker than the left,” Kirke said.

It’s a surprising addition to what’s known as long-distance syndrome. Other symptoms include fatigue, headaches, brain fog, depression, and anxiety. The National Institutes of Health is spending $ 1.15 billion to study the problem.

“Many patients don’t understand why they have these breathing problems when their lung function tests are normal,” Kirke said.

Hlavka receives therapy to relearn the most normal thing in the world: breathing.