CORONAVIRUS

Fundraising Effort Launched To Study Long Term Effects Of COVID-19

Dec 1, 2020, 7:17 PM | Updated: Dec 2, 2020, 2:24 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As humanity waits for the coronavirus vaccine, hoping life can return to normal, for some who’ve had the virus there’s a chance normal may never come back.

“We just don’t know, so that’s pretty scary,” said Lisa O’Brien.

O’Brien, who lives in Utah, is known as a long hauler.

That means she’s still dealing with coronavirus effects long after testing negative for it.

“Fatigue,” she said. “I’ll just get this overwhelming heaviness that comes over me. It’s not like being really tired. It’s this profound fatigue.”

She’s also dealing with heart rate issues, breathing concerns, and not remembering the right words to use when she’s talking.

O’Brien also says she suffered from a blood clot in one of her lungs and has experienced internal tremors.

“I was having such a hard time getting people to believe me,” said O’Brien. “Not only doctors, but even family members and friends. It’s such a difficult thing to go through.”

It’s why she started a Utah COVID-19 Long Haulers group, so those dealing with the same issues can know they’re not alone.

“I’m making the path for all the others who come after me a little bit easier,” she said.

O’Brien and her group are also teaming up with University of Utah Health.

University of Utah Health launched a fundraising effort Tuesday to study long haulers.

“Up to 25% of COVID patients who have not been hospitalized could develop long effects, which is a huge segment of the population,” said Dr. Nicole Frank, who is the associate director of the University’s Immunology, Inflammation, and Infectious Disease Initiative.

The funds will help to pay the salary of a coordinator who will oversee the clinical research with long haulers and doctors.

Not a lot is known about long term effects and doctors have seen some surprises.

“When the pandemic first started, we started hearing about people losing their sense of smell and that was just completely unexpected,” said Dr. Dunn.

She feels that’s why this research is important even after the vaccine becomes available.

“We’re not sharing our stories to illicit fear,” said O’Brien. “We want to educate. We want people to know that this is a risk. It’s not just this 99% survival rate. We’ve got to look at the recovery rate, too. And there’s a good chunk of people that are not recovering and there’s no end in sight. We don’t know if we ever go back to who we were 100%.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Top Stories

Coronavirus

Intermountain Medical Center (KSL TV)...
Emily Ashcraft

Pandemic led to increase in rate and severity of depression, Intermountain study says

The COVID-19 pandemic had a large impact on mental health, specifically depression, an Intermountain Health study using research from thousands Utah patients found.
19 days ago
FILE PHOTO (KSL-TV)...
Emily Ashcraft

Masks no longer required at Intermountain Health facilities, 3 years after pandemic started

Intermountain Health announced wearing masks will become optional for visitors and patients beginning March 15, following an anticipated decline in respiratory illnesses.
22 days ago
woman blowing her nose on a couch...
Paul LeBlanc

New assessment on the origins of COVID-19 adds to the confusion

Three years after the start of the pandemic, researchers are beginning to look more into how COVID-19 began and its origins.
27 days ago
Flu COVID test...
Jen Christensen, CNN

FDA authorizes first at-home test for flu, Covid-19

If you've got a fever and a cough, you don't necessarily have to go to the doctor anymore to find out if it's the flu or COVID-19.
29 days ago
...
Ashley Moser

COVID long-haulers push lawmakers to approve funding for treatment research

The request for $4,000,000 would help U of U Health’s Comprehensive COVID-19 Clinic, which has seen 1,800 long COVID-19 patients since July of 2021.
1 month ago
(KSL-TV)...
Katija Stjepovic

Utah arts and cultural jobs are surging after COVID pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic pulled the curtains on most of Utah's arts and cultural jobs, but after nearly three years, they are reemerging. 
2 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...
BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.
Close up of an offset printing machine during production...
Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.
vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...
Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.
Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...
Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.
notebook with password notes highlighted...
PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.
house with for rent sign posted...
Chase Harrington, president and COO of Entrata

Top 5 Reasons You May Want to Consider Apartment Life Over Owning a Home

There are many benefits of renting that can be overshadowed by the allure of buying a home. Here are five reasons why renting might be right for you.
Fundraising Effort Launched To Study Long Term Effects Of COVID-19