Fatigue, muscle aches, cognitive disorders… long Covid symptoms are a real scourge. Months after an infection, they persist and fluctuate, until they disrupt the professional and family life of the patient. For now, science is still struggling to understand this new entity, which makes it difficult to treat. A void that leaves the door wide open to unproven experimental treatment, such as “bloodwashing”.
Also called apheresis, this technique consists of extracting blood from a person to filter it, eliminate unwanted components, before injecting it back into the body. The treatment would notably improve blood circulation.
While the German Society of Nephrology considers the technique an option of last resort for people with incurable lipid disorders, no studies have proven its effectiveness against long Covid, reports Science Alert. No research, scientific substantiation or even clinical trials have been done.
However, more and more people suffering from long Covid would no longer hesitate to turn to this kind of treatment, adds the scientific media. Tired of waiting years for clinical trials to end, many spend tens of thousands of euros to have this “blood washing” done all over Europe. Without success.
Real risks
Apheresis is not to be taken lightly. Undergoing such treatment carries risks and exposes the patient to bleeding, especially from the nose, bruising, and even cerebral hemorrhage. The procedure also requires long-term follow-up to avoid any complications. Since care is often carried out in a foreign country, this crucial follow-up is often made impossible.
For the time being, it is estimated that between 5% and 15% of people who have contracted Covid-19 are affected by its long and persistent form. Recently, a group of researchers highlighted some sorts of hidden virus reservoirs in the body of some infected people and which could explain why the symptoms are felt long after. But the time is still for research and studies, and we will still have to wait before unraveling all the mysteries of the long Covid.
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