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Long Covid----Autoantibodies and immunosuppressants

Post-COVID conditions that last or happen after testing COVID-negative are being referred to by a wide range of names, including long COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long-term effects of COVID, post-acute COVID syndrome, chronic COVID, long-haul COVID, late sequelae, and others, as well as the research term post-acute sequalae of SARS-COV-2 infection (PASC)

Some of the long Covid patients end up having fatigue, memory loss, GI distress, breathing problems, blood abnormalities and other symptoms.

There have been reports of low levels of cortisol, primary stress hormone that regulates blood pressure, glucose, sleep/wake cycles, and keeps inflammation down. 

Autoantibodies are antibodies that target self-antigens. These antigens may be found in all cell types (e.g. mitochondria, chromatin, centromeres) or be highly specific for a specific cell type of the body (e.g. thyroglobulin in thyroid gland cells). 

AutoAbs, especially those that neutralize type I interferons (IFNs), have been reported to be associated with immune dysregulation and COVID-19 mortality (, ) and have been speculated to be associated with Long Covid.

Care clinics for post-COVID conditions are being established at medical centers across the United States, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to provide a comprehensive and coordinated treatment approach to COVID-19 aftercare.

Management: Post-COVID conditions are being managed at medical centers across the United States, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to provide COVID-19 aftercare. Personalized care is being recommended by CDC.

My take: Personalized symptomatic treatment (NSAIDS, inhalers, sleep medication, GI meds) plus prolonged treatment with prednisone (not the best medication but unfortunately the best option) and immunosuppressants, (my favorite being Methotrexate)

1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-care/post-covid-conditions.html

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