COVID-19 Long-Haulers Support

COVID-19 has proven to be a puzzling illness in the way it affects people differently. Most people fully recover from the virus within a couple of weeks. But some people still battle shortness of breath, coughing and fatigue for weeks, sometimes months. Long COVID affects people of all ages, including those who were previously healthy and who did not require a hospital stay.

At this time, it is unclear what allows some patients to improve over several weeks and what causes others to continue having symptoms for months. NKCH developed the Long-Hauler Program to help those suffering with lingering symptoms.

Additional information from Andrea Anthony, MD, a pulmonologist with Meritas Health Pulmonary Medicine: COVID-19: When Symptoms Linger.

Common Symptoms

These are common symptoms, although other symptoms may occure if different combinations and flare-up without warning.

• Extreme exhaustion or fatigue
• Problems with memory and concentration (brain fog)
• Worsening of COVID-19 symptoms after exercise (post-exertional exacerbation)

Learn how Rehab Services can help.

Video Series

Check out the Long-Haulers Program playlist on YouTube to view the Long-Hauler series which includes:

• Learn How Medication May Help, presented by Monika Totoraitis, PharmD, BCOP
• Overcoming Brain Fog, presented by Stephanie Ramirez, MA, CC-SLP, NKCH Speech Language Pathologist
• Resume Exercise and Daily Activities, presented by Snizhana Weber, Exercise Physiologist & Alan Sapp, Respiratory Therapist
• Nutrition and COVID-19, presented by Lindsey Moore, MS, RDN, LD, NKCH registered dietitian
• Regaining Strength and Endurance, presented by Michelle McCullough, PT, DPT
• Conquer Everyday Activities, presented by Kaylee Coburn, NKCH physical therapist
• Fatigue-Busting Foods, presented by Lindsey Moore, MS, RDN, LD, NKCH registered dietitian
• Tricks for Regaining Your Memory, presented by Stephanie Ramirez, MA CC-SLP, NKCH Speech Language Pathologist
• Resistance Training Helps, presented by Snizhana Weber, BS, CCRP

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Jodi Rawson

As Digital Marketing Strategist Jodi Rawson oversees the digital consumer experience for North Kansas City Hospital & Meritas Health. This includes managing website strategy, marketing automation and social media for the system. She believes in the power of building positive relationships, trusts data (with a side of gut instinct) and has a passion for driving consumer engagement..