The CDC released guidance for physicians treating patients struggling with lingering problems from COVID-19, often called “Long Haulers”. While many symptoms may be treated by a primary physician, there are acute circumstances that may need specialists to help patients.
One of the challenges in identifying Long Haulers is whether the patient is experiencing those conditions from the virus or from some other disease. Current lab testing doesn’t definitively diagnose Long Haulers and the CDC says that not having a positive test should not rule out the possibility of having Long Haulers.
There is no treatment for the underlying problems of Long Haulers and the issue is really being educated on how to help patients suffering from Long Haulers. More research is needed and Congress just provided over $1 billion to continue studies in Long Haulers.