Case studies The trials of long-term sufferers

Steph Parker, 33, lecturer and chef from the West Midlands Ms Parker believes she contracted Covid-19 in March when her colleague returned from Italy with a cough. Her symptoms included chest pain and vomiting blood. She said her GP promised her a swab test to see if she had contracted the virus, but it was cancelled. Seven weeks after her symptoms first emerged, she said her GP dismissed her concerns she was suffering long-term from Covid-19, telling her he had only seen patients showing symptoms for up to four weeks. “I am deteriorating – it’s mentally draining being ignored,” she said. “I don’t have time to be this ill and I certainly don’t want sympathy. I just want help to get some liveable life back.”

Beth Bolitho, 46, child and adolescent psychotherapist from London Ms Bolitho’s 11-year-old son was admitted to hospital with a fever and a rash, which she believes was a result of him contracting Covid-19 from her. She said doctors refused to acknowledge that his symptoms could have been directly caused by the virus and described them as “post-viral dermatitis” because he tested negative for antibodies. She said his rash had since spread and seemed to get worse with physical exertion. Her confidence in doctors to provide effective treatment has been shattered. She said: “Unless you are dying, they just won’t take what you are experiencing seriously – they seem unable to link things up; to make connections.”