What does it mean to have long-haul COVID?

A person keeps statistics on a clipboard.
Physical therapist Cassie Anderson takes note of patient Anna Marie Rieffert's vitals and level of fatigue as she walks on a treadmill as part of a physical therapy to treat long-term symptoms of COVID-19 at a University of Minnesota hospital in Minneapolis in June.
Evan Frost | MPR News file

COVID-19 cases are once again spiking in Minnesota. On Monday, the state posted its highest single-day count of new cases since December. For some people who have contracted COVID, symptoms can linger months after they’ve recovered. The lingering side effects are known as long-haul COVID and can include persistent joint pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog and headaches. 

Early studies show that anywhere between 10 and 30 percent of COVID patients will experience long COVID symptoms. 

MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with two doctors about long-haul COVID — what we know about the condition, and how to treat it. And she hears from a woman who has long COVID.

Guests: 

  • Dr. Craig Bowron is a physician and writer based in St. Paul.

  • Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn is a preventive, occupational and aerospace medicine specialist who leads the COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program at Mayo Clinic. 

  • Kirstin Johnson-Nixon is a social worker who works with Minneapolis Public Schools. She spoke to Angela Davis in 2020 when her family had COVID-19.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

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