New MUHC study underway into COVID patients whose symptoms persist for months
The McGill University Health Centre is launching a study into people suffering from what has become known as “long COVID.”
While many who survive their bout with the virus see symptoms dissipate in a matter of days or weeks, others have seen the fight stretch on for months, often with serious complications.
“A lot of them have inflammation of the envelope around (the heart) and also inflammation of the muscle of the heart,” said epidemiologist and cardiologist Thao Huynh.
Since the pandemic started, Huynh has been on the front lines and has seen how for some unfortunate people, the symptoms have stayed with them.
“We found the most common symptoms are chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness,” she said. “Most of the symptoms are mainly due to heart disease and they often complain about trouble concentrating, the brain fog.”
Long-term symptoms have been observed in people of all ages, including people who had previously been in perfect health. That has resulted in some missed diagnoses.
One of the 200 patients in the MUHC's new study is Josee Laroche, who worked in a long-term care facility during the height of the pandemic's first wave. In September, she contracted the virus.
“I can't work, I sleep between 13 to 18 hours a day, depending on how much pain I'm in that day,” she said. “I never know how my symptoms will change during the day, so I could be okay for two or three hours and then, boom, rash all over my body, migraine... It's a constant. You never know what you're going to get in 24 hours.”
As part of the study, Laroche will have her cardiovascular and neuro-cognitive health monitored over a one-year period.
“I don't expect miracles, to be recovered 100 per cent, but if I can gain a little bit of quality of life, the ability to cook and do a little grocery shopping without being out of breath and in pain, that would be wonderful,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.