Long COVID

Center for Multisystem Disease Jill R. Schofield, MD Our Services Long COVID
Jill R. Schofield, MD - - Autoimmune Disease and Dysautonomia Practice

Center for Multisystem Disease

Jill R. Schofield, MD

Autoimmune Disease and Dysautonomia Practice located in Denver, CO

Some patients with COVID-19 are experiencing longer-lasting effects than expected, and these patients have often been called “COVID long-haulers.” If you have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and are experiencing prolonged multisystem symptoms such as severe fatigue, malaise, lightheadedness, fast heartbeat (tachycardia), headaches, hives or other rashes, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, cognitive dysfunction or other unexplained symptoms, you may have a post-viral syndrome, now known as long COVID or post-COVID syndrome. At the Center for Multisystem Disease, Dr. Schofield treats immune-mediated diseases that affect the whole body. With her extensive background in challenging diseases, she’s the ideal doctor to help with long COVID, as we are learning that many of these patients have dysautonomia, mast cell activation, or even autoimmunity triggered by the COVID-19 virus. Learn how you can improve your symptoms after COVID-19 by calling our Denver office or using the online booking tool.

What is long COVID?

Long COVID, also known as post-COVID syndrome, is a collection of symptoms that persist for two or more months following the initial infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Patients who have persistent multisystem symptoms for at least eight weeks, long after the expected end of their illness, have been labeled “COVID long-haulers.”

This syndrome can be debilitating for many patients, which often leads to intense frustration, anxiety, and hopelessness. But, long COVID can be manageable with Dr. Schofield’s expert support and guidance.

Long COVID requires a specialized treatment approach because it’s a completely different issue than acute COVID-19. In many cases, long COVID has a unique cause that requires specific treatments that target the complications arising as a result of the initial infection.

What are the symptoms of long COVID?

The symptoms of long COVID often include:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Bodywide aches and pains
  • Breathing problems
  • Fast heartbeat/heart palpitations
  • Cognitive issues, including poor concentration
  • Intolerance of exercise
  • Lightheadedness when standing

Long COVID symptoms can vary from day to day and from patient to patient.

Anyone who has been infected with COVID-19 can get long COVID. If your acute COVID-19 illness was very mild or asymptomatic, you could still be vulnerable to long COVID. Some patients who did not receive an official diagnosis of COVID-19 may still develop long COVID symptoms later.

What causes long COVID?

Medical experts are still learning what causes long COVID because it’s a relatively new problem.

However, it appears that long COVID is related to inflammatory triggers, including autonomic nervous system dysfunction, excessive mast cell activation, and autoimmunity in some patients.

This is similar to autoimmune reactions that may occur in some patients after mononucleosis or other infections, vaccination, concussion, surgery, or pregnancy.

How do you treat long COVID?

At the Center for Multisystem Disease, Dr. Schofield focuses on the underlying cause of your long COVID. She’s an expert in the treatment of autoimmune disease, mast cell activation syndrome, and autonomic dysfunction (dysautonomia), which are proving to be common reasons for long COVID.

Dr. Schofield emphasizes whole-body health, so she prescribes customized treatments to encourage recovery from the inside out. This may include medication, dietary counseling, lifestyle changes, stress reduction techniques, and other personalized care, in addition to the possible need for prescription medications.

If you have lingering symptoms after COVID-19 (or suspected COVID-19), don’t wait to get help for the underlying problem. Call the Center for Multisystem Disease to set up your appointment.

Center for Multisystem Disease

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