People suffering ‘relapse’ after Covid

Some thought they were finally free of coronavirus symptoms but have found themselves in a new battle against its effects

LINGERING health problems are making life a misery for people infected by Covid-19 and who failed to make a sustained recovery.

Membership of a new support group has jumped to more than 400 as it provides solidarity and focus for people who had seemed at first to be recovering, only to succumb to ongoing illness several months after being infected.

While most people who recover from coronavirus infection return to normal living, recurring health problems are bedevilling the lives of a group of survivors throughout the country.

Some people felt isolated and lonely when it seemed they were not being believed or taken seriously when they spoke of strange symptoms that flared up after a period of recovery.

Covid Cases Support Group Ireland was set up by Claire Twomey (33), who has a variety of symptoms, including devastating fatigue, headaches, coughs and rashes. Some of these symptoms have recurred for several months since she first became infected.

Palpitations and gasping to breathe are among the other symptoms experienced by many of the group members.

The Facebook page she set up for people with similar experiences has seen a rapid rise in membership.

Membership is confined to those with lingering symptoms and to family members of those affected.

Relief has been expressed by members, who said it was hugely important to them that they no longer felt they were the only ones enduring a prolonged illness which has made it impossible for them to return to work or resume normal activities.

They expressed hopes that they will eventually break free from a variety of after-effects of the infections.

Among those who spoke to the Sunday Independent were

Claire, a social care worker from Ashbourne, Co Meath, a nurse in a major Dublin hospital named Jacqueline, and Ron Lawrence (58), a quality manager for a scaffolding manufacturer in Leixlip, Co Kildare. We have paraphrased their stories in today’s paper.

Many people with lingering symptoms have spoken of feeling unsupported and misunderstood.

Claire and Jacqueline said they are both receiving follow-on monitoring and treatment in hospitals in Dublin and they are grateful of the support they are getting.

There has been growing evidence around the world that coronavirus has resulted in chronic, persistent infections in certain cases.

Sometimes these persistent infections can occur in places in the body that may be less accessible to the immune system and where it is difficult to eradicate all viral infections.

The group members are finding strength in learning of the experiences of other survivors.

All of them continue to hope that they will return to full health and get back to living an active and normal life as soon as possible.