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Long Covid has an impact on numerous people worldwide. Three affected people, two women and one man, share their experiences and the problems that affect their everyday life.
Long Covid refers to persistent symptoms after a Covid 19 infection that can last weeks or months. These symptoms range from fatigue and breathing problems to cognitive impairment. Depending on the extent of the Long Covid disease, those affected face enormous challenges in their everyday lives. For some patients, the symptoms even mean that they can no longer continue working in the job they previously did for years. Three reports show the problems that can arise from Long Covid.
Lydia Morley‘s battle with alopecia
Lydia Morley, 23, from Newport, Wales, has had Covid-19 eight times. After her last infection, she began to notice significant hair loss. Her doctor diagnosed alopecia areata, a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles. Lydia believes her repeated infections may have compromised her immune system, leading to alopecia. Despite the diagnosis, she found a path to acceptance by shaving off her remaining hair for charity and starting to wear wigs. Lydia is now committed to raising awareness about alopecia and sharing her journey on social media.
Hair loss is just one possible consequence of a Covid-19 infection. © sasirin/Imago
Marion Ackermann‘s lengthy recovery process
Marion Ackermann, 48, an employee at Leipzig University Hospital, experienced ongoing health problems after two Covid infections. Her symptoms ranged from extreme fatigue to cognitive difficulties, as in one Contribution from the Leipzig University Hospital is called. Inpatient rehab helped her make initial progress, but her condition worsened after being reinfected with a virus variant. Marion underwent intensive outpatient rehab focused on mobilization and cognitive skills. Despite all the challenges, she hopes for future research and therapies and is committed to vaccination to prevent severe disease.
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“The short-term memory somehow no longer does what it should”
37-year-old Christian Brehmeyer was at the portal bundesregierung.de According to him, he fell ill with Covid-19 and had a severe course. Due to the severity of the illness, he had to be treated in a clinic and only barely made it out of the intensive care unit. After an initial improvement, it became clear that Brehmeyer was suffering from Long Covid. Even light walks or climbing stairs were extremely strenuous for the young man, “but what was much worse were the cognitive limitations that I experienced or still experience. “The short-term memory somehow no longer does what it should,” says an archive article bundesregierung.de. Rehab helped him, but he emphasized in 2021: “It’s a pretty long road.”
The stories of Long Covid patients illustrate how differently Long Covid can affect life and how important it is to protect yourself adequately against infectious diseases such as Covid-19. It’s not just regular hand washing that offers protection. Also stay away from people who have tested positive and keep your immune system healthy by exercising a lot, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.
