Kate Murray

I don't know if we know the answer to that yet. I think most people with long COVID do not generate enough virus that they could infect other people. It's interesting. They've experimented with even like COVID sniffing dogs and have found that these dogs can detect COVID in people with long COVID, but they test negative at that point.

I don't know if we know the answer to that yet. I think most people with long COVID do not generate enough virus that they could infect other people. It's interesting. They've experimented with even like COVID sniffing dogs and have found that these dogs can detect COVID in people with long COVID, but they test negative at that point.

So they're not producing enough virus to spread the infection, but there's still some reaction going on inside their body. And indeed these dogs are picking up on it as well.

So they're not producing enough virus to spread the infection, but there's still some reaction going on inside their body. And indeed these dogs are picking up on it as well.

Yeah, absolutely. And of course, that is what people always ask, like, well, then what if I think I have this or if I test positive for COVID, what should I be doing? And one, we do hope people keep testing because it is to confirm if you have a COVID infection or not and to tell a provider that you've tested positive so they can put it in your medical record.

Yeah, absolutely. And of course, that is what people always ask, like, well, then what if I think I have this or if I test positive for COVID, what should I be doing? And one, we do hope people keep testing because it is to confirm if you have a COVID infection or not and to tell a provider that you've tested positive so they can put it in your medical record.

But also then just keeping an eye on symptoms as you recover. And if you have what seems like symptoms of long COVID, to talk to a provider if you can. Because of this nebulous nature of long COVID, a lot of these symptoms overlap with other chronic conditions. And so it is important that a provider rule out other things like diabetes or a thyroid issue or something else going on as well.

But also then just keeping an eye on symptoms as you recover. And if you have what seems like symptoms of long COVID, to talk to a provider if you can. Because of this nebulous nature of long COVID, a lot of these symptoms overlap with other chronic conditions. And so it is important that a provider rule out other things like diabetes or a thyroid issue or something else going on as well.

I think the most extreme dramatic case of that we've heard was somebody who thought they had long COVID and kind of avoided care, but then it turned out to be a brain tumor. So you don't want to miss something really serious that's going on underneath if you're having these symptoms. And also, providers are still learning about long COVID.

I think the most extreme dramatic case of that we've heard was somebody who thought they had long COVID and kind of avoided care, but then it turned out to be a brain tumor. So you don't want to miss something really serious that's going on underneath if you're having these symptoms. And also, providers are still learning about long COVID.

MDH is really trying to help spread the word about long COVID, including to providers, but there are providers out there who can help manage and even relieve some of the symptoms of long COVID. There are some medications, different therapies, even changes in diet that people can do that can help alleviate some of the symptoms of

MDH is really trying to help spread the word about long COVID, including to providers, but there are providers out there who can help manage and even relieve some of the symptoms of long COVID. There are some medications, different therapies, even changes in diet that people can do that can help alleviate some of the symptoms of

or just learn to manage them better and figure out how they can still thrive while they're having these symptoms. So really just to believe that this is a real thing and take it seriously. And particularly if you find yourself struggling with this brain fog or fatigue, to seek care, but also to seek support.

or just learn to manage them better and figure out how they can still thrive while they're having these symptoms. So really just to believe that this is a real thing and take it seriously. And particularly if you find yourself struggling with this brain fog or fatigue, to seek care, but also to seek support.

So for a lot of people, you know, help with childcare or household tasks, potentially workplace accommodations can really be a game changer for them as they recover. Because one of the other tricky parts of this too, and you, you know, alluded to this with the definition is that it's very nebulous. And there probably are going to be a lot of people who get COVID or some other infection

So for a lot of people, you know, help with childcare or household tasks, potentially workplace accommodations can really be a game changer for them as they recover. Because one of the other tricky parts of this too, and you, you know, alluded to this with the definition is that it's very nebulous. And there probably are going to be a lot of people who get COVID or some other infection

And it's going to take them several weeks or maybe even a few months to get all the way better. But they may ultimately eventually return to baseline health. There is a subset of folks who are being disabled by these infections and their symptoms They may even seem like the acute infection resolves and they start having these new symptoms several weeks or even a few months later.

And it's going to take them several weeks or maybe even a few months to get all the way better. But they may ultimately eventually return to baseline health. There is a subset of folks who are being disabled by these infections and their symptoms They may even seem like the acute infection resolves and they start having these new symptoms several weeks or even a few months later.

And that's kind of this, it used to be called chronic fatigue syndrome. They now call it myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME-CFS. For those folks, their symptoms do not get better and they may even get worse to the point of disability. And what can hasten that trajectory is trying to push through those symptoms and trying to return to normal, go back to your exercise routine,

And that's kind of this, it used to be called chronic fatigue syndrome. They now call it myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME-CFS. For those folks, their symptoms do not get better and they may even get worse to the point of disability. And what can hasten that trajectory is trying to push through those symptoms and trying to return to normal, go back to your exercise routine,