The Lingering Impact of Long COVID on Young People and Solutions for Recovery

Many young people are experiencing long-term health problems after recovering from COVID-19, with symptoms lasting weeks, months, and even years. Doctors are still learning how to treat and define long COVID, which can involve a wide range of new, returning, and ongoing health problems. National Jewish Health has set aside a whole floor for long COVID in the pediatric unit, offering multi-faceted care for a wide range of pulmonary diseases. Keira Thompson, a national championship-level volleyball player, was diagnosed with new-onset asthma and postural orthostatic intolerance (POTS) after experiencing debilitating symptoms, preventing her from serving in the military and playing volleyball at her previous level. She plans to start a support group for other teens with long COVID and hopes to play D2 volleyball at a Christian school and own her own business.