As the Primary Care Medical Director for the University of Washington Long COVID Clinic, Dr. Nikki Gentile supports patients and also studies the effects of long COVID, focusing on pain. In this comic strip, she shares some of the challenges facing patients and offers suggestions to help patients manage symptoms.
Long COVID Resources
If you think you might have long COVID:
- Talk to a healthcare provider if you think you or your child has long COVID.
- It can be hard to explain symptoms of long COVID. CDC has information to help get the most out of a medical appointment for long COVID: Patient Tips: Healthcare Provider Appointments for Long COVID
- The University of Washington Long COVID Clinic serves residents of King County. Your healthcare provider can refer you to the clinic. Information: Post-COVID Rehabilitation | UW Medicine
- See a list of recommended resources from a member of the long COVID community in another post from this series: Recommended resources from Deepa
Information about long COVID:
- An Interview with Dr. Nikki Gentile: Covid and Long Covid by Dr. Chris Sanford (Dr. Travel Chris) from June, 2024.
- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine presents conclusions about Long COVID diagnosis, symptoms, and impact on daily function in a report from June 2024.
- Washington State Department of Health has a Long COVID resource page: Long COVID | Washington State Department of Health
- CDC has information on research and links to resources on Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions including Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA, Section | HHS.gov.
Preventing long COVID
Anything you can do to reduce the risk of getting COVID in the first place and decrease the risk of severe disease will also reduce the risk of long COVID. So that means:
- Keeping up with COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Using all the protective measures, especially in crowded situations, like wearing well-fitting masks and making sure there is good air flow in rooms.
- Even if you had previous infection and never got long COVID, it is important to take precautions because long COVID can still occur during re-infection.
- Testing early and if you are eligible, getting treatment if you get infected with COVID-19.
Other long COVID stories
This comics series features King County residents and providers sharing their experiences with the long-lasting symptoms and conditions that can follow an infection with COVID-19. Thank you to Nikki Gentile for sharing this story. Other stories in the series:
Coming to Terms with Long COVID: Deepa’s Story – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER
They Don’t See the Crash: Jesse’s Long COVID Story – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER
Comic by Meredith Li-Vollmer. Originally posted on July 17, 2024.