On a warm August afternoon, I had the opportunity to connect with a mother named Lisa and her daughter, Mia, through a virtual meeting. While Lisa was at home in Nebraska, I found myself in my room, taking refuge from my lively children. Our conversation was warm and engaging, a pleasant culmination of numerous emails exchanged due to our busy schedules. Both Lisa and I were navigating the challenges of parenting, especially with a sick child. My son had fallen ill just before our first planned discussion, while Mia’s health took a turn for the worse in October. Ironically, our conversation centered on the topic of illness, as Mia is among the many children grappling with long haul COVID.
Mia, only 11 years old, contracted the virus after being exposed at school. While eight classmates were quarantined, and several showed symptoms, Lisa was initially told Mia did not have COVID since her test result was negative. Doctors attributed her fever and abdominal pain to constipation.
However, after two months of enduring fatigue, nausea, headaches, and discomfort, Lisa insisted on further testing. To their surprise, the results revealed that Mia had COVID antibodies, indicating she had indeed been infected with the virus.
“For months, it felt like nobody was believing us,” Lisa recounted. “They kept saying it was constipation, but you don’t get a fever from that. I knew something was wrong. Nobody was considering COVID. We went two months without answers, and it was frustrating and terrifying for both of us.”
Fortunately, with the antibody results, they were able to seek appropriate care. “Once we had those results, we could finally start moving forward,” Lisa said. “Mia saw various doctors, including a rheumatologist, who first suggested it could be long haul COVID.”
In February, Lisa contacted specialized long-haul COVID centers at children’s hospitals in Omaha and Minnesota. While Omaha couldn’t accommodate them, Minnesota scheduled an appointment for the following week. The infectious disease specialist they met with was compassionate, starting the visit by assuring Mia, “We believe you.” This affirmation was significant for Mia, who had experienced other appointments that left her feeling unheard and dismissed.
After four months of searching for help, Mia finally began receiving proper treatment for her ongoing symptoms and chronic conditions. Long-haul COVID, or long COVID, refers to the persistent symptoms some individuals face after recovering from the initial infection. While Mia is no longer contagious, she continues to deal with chronic issues like pain, fatigue, headaches, and brain fog. It’s been nearly a year since her diagnosis, and she now uses a wheelchair for mobility.
“She is always fatigued,” Lisa explained. “Her pain is an eight out of ten. Despite her efforts to get through each day, there’s only so much she can do. Recovery from long-haul COVID isn’t straightforward; it has its ups and downs.”
Before her illness, Mia was a vibrant, active child who loved dancing, biking, and skiing. “Watching her now, stuck on the couch and struggling mentally, is heartbreaking,” Lisa said. “It’s overwhelming.”
When asked what she wants others to know about COVID, Lisa’s message was clear: “It’s real. We all need to take it seriously because we don’t know who will be affected. Mia should have been fine, but she isn’t. I wish people would trust the science, wear masks, and take precautions. It won’t hurt and could make a difference.”
Mia echoed her mother’s sentiments, saying, “It’s real. It’s not a joke. If I could go back, I wouldn’t go to school in fifth grade. Please get vaccinated, wear a mask, and wash your hands. I have awful pain all the time. I wouldn’t want anyone else to endure this.”
For more insight on similar topics, check out this other post from our blog. For further resources regarding pregnancy and home insemination, you can visit this excellent resource.
In summary, Lisa and Mia’s story highlights the significant and often overlooked impact of long-haul COVID on children. Their experience serves as a reminder of the importance of believing in and supporting individuals facing health challenges, as well as the need for continued awareness and precaution in the face of the ongoing pandemic.