Researcher Shares Personal Battle with Long COVID-19, Raises Awareness on International Long COVID Awareness Day

An Ontario-based researcher, Manali Mukherjee from McMaster University, has candidly shed light on her enduring struggle with long COVID-19, a condition she personally battled for 18 months following her infection.

Recalling her experience with COVID-19 in January 2021, Mukherjee emphasized the lasting impact of the condition, diverging significantly from her typical recovery timeline after illnesses.

With persistent symptoms encompassing blood pressure issues, fatigue, brain fog, and headaches even after the initial 14 days of intense symptoms, Mukherjee expressed the profound toll it took on her daily life.

Identified as one of the 3.5 million Canadians grappling with long-term symptoms post-COVID-19, Mukherjee’s story mirrors the challenges faced by many others experiencing Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC).

International Long COVID Awareness Day, observed annually, offers a platform to spotlight this often-overlooked issue, especially as it continues to affect many Canadians years since the pandemic, Mukherjee emphasized.

Statistics Canada revealed that 66.4% of individuals with PCC reported inadequate access to treatment and support for their symptoms, underscoring the pressing need to address the unmet needs of this demographic.

Research suggests that approximately 75% of individuals with long COVID recover within a year, albeit 25% experience lingering symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and cognitive impairment beyond the 12-month mark.

Currently engaged in a novel trial focusing on identifying biomarkers predictive of severe long COVID symptoms and autoimmune diseases, Mukherjee aims to pioneer advancements in understanding and treating this condition.