Adolescence is already an intense time for parenting, but what happens when you add a life altering condition to the mix? In this comic strip, cartoonist Summer Pierre shares her family’s many challenges navigating health and managing everyday life following her daughter’s onset of Long COVID at age 12.
About Long COVID
Long COVID is a chronic condition that can affect anyone who has previously had COVID-19. There are many different kinds of symptoms, including extreme fatigue, brain fog, cough and chest pains, joint pains, irregular heartbeat, and depression–symptoms are different from person to person. Symptoms can last for months or longer, and they can greatly impact your daily life.
Long COVID can develop in anyone who gets a COVID-19 infection, even if they are young or were previously healthy. It’s possible to get Long COVID if you’ve had only mild illnesses from a COVID-19 infection previously.
Preventing long COVID
Anything you can do to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 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.
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
Washington State Department of Health has a Long COVID resource page: doh.ww.gov/long-covid
Other long COVID stories
This comics series features real people and providers sharing their experiences with the long-lasting symptoms and conditions that can follow an infection with COVID-19. Thank you to Summer Pierre and her family for sharing their 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
“Just because you can’t see symptoms…”: A story from a Long COVID Clinic – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER
Originally posted on June 24, 2026.
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