Patients in It for the Long Haul After COVID-19

Medical experts are racing to unravel one of the greatest mysteries of COVID-19 –– the long-term effects in children. Most children experience mild COVID symptoms such as fever, cough and body aches for two to three weeks. But large numbers of children experience long-term effects for weeks and even months after the initial infection.

These long-haul COVID patients may experience mild or more severe symptoms, including loss of taste or smell, debilitating fatigue, brain fog, headache, gastrointestinal and respiratory issues, heart palpitations, muscle and joint pain and sleep disturbances.

Listen to pediatric experts discuss post-COVID conditions in pediatric patients

In this episode, Ben Katz, MD, joins us to unpack what it means to be a long-haul COVID patient, the impact on patients and families and what primary care providers can do.

Dr. Katz is a professor of pediatrics specializing in infectious diseases at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• The earliest reports of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) –– better known as long COVID
• What percentage of children with COVID are impacted by PASC
• Most frequent symptoms among kids with PASC
• Differences between child and adults with PASC
• A proposed definition of a PASC diagnosis
• How pediatricians can support patients experiencing long-term COVID symptoms

Stay up to date with the latest on COVID-19

Experts at Children’s Hospital Colorado are committed to maintaining important and timely information for providers during the pandemic. Check back regularly for frequent updates to our COVID-19 resources for healthcare professionals.