'Can they be treated?' Medical experts call long-term COVID-19 symptoms a mystery
In the wake of the third wave of COVID-19, doctors say there's a new challenge emerging.
A recent study on COVID-19 long-haulers revealed many find fully recovering from the virus surprisingly elusive. More than 1,000 individuals across Canada participated in the study, which saw many continue to suffer from a wide range of persistent health problems, including headaches, fatigue and 'brain fog.'
"I've had patients who were previously high-functioning individuals, who now have trouble doing jobs and activities of daily living," says Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) respirologist and intensive-care physician Dr. Adarsh Tailor.
Health experts say long-haulers experience symptoms for months after even mild cases of COVID-19.
"What we are starting to see in our clinics are people who had COVID three, four, five months ago who still have shortness of breath," Tailor says. "In my practice alone, I am probably seeing one to two of these patients daily."
Dr. Chris Martin, RVH critical care chief and director, says treating long-haul symptoms remains a bit of a mystery. "Can they be treated, or is it just a matter of time and supportive care?" he says further research will aid in caring for long-haul patients.
The Barrie hospital currently has 16 patients; most are no longer COVID-19-positive but remain sick enough to require hospital care, while the intensive care unit has eight patients battling COVID-19.
Dr. Martin says that while the overall number of COVID-19 cases declines across the province, there are still hundreds of ICU patients, some hospitalized for months.
The Canadian study estimates 25 to 35 per cent of individuals who test positive for COVID-19 experience long-term effects of the virus.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.