Thread by @ChantalBritt

1 year ago I got infected w/ #SARSCoV2. I still haven't recovered. I'm not the same person. #LongCovid has fundamentally changed my view on other chronic diseases. I'm a @LongCovidCH advocate fighting for recognition, guidelines for diagnosis & management, & more research. 1/8

I believe most infections happen via #aerosols indoors. #SARSCoV2 is airborne. Measures like 1.5m distance, disinfection of surfaces, plexiglass separation are pathetic & give false security. Wearing the wrong masks or wearing them wrong or not at all is ignorant. #WearAMask 2/8

Children, adolescents & adults can get infected & transmit #SARSCoV2. About 10% of them will suffer from #LongCovid. Irrespective of age, gender, fitness level, health, comorbidities. Risk factors: being female, immunological sensitivity, higher BMI (apparently, not sure) 3/8

#LongCovid is an immune disease or has a very strong immunological/autoimmune, inflammatory component affecting the entire body. It is NOT psychosomatic. Women are more prone like in other autoimmune disorders because our immune response differs from those of men 4/8

Typical acute #COVID19 case is male, w/ comobidities, severely sick, hospitalised, obviously sick, unable to work, part of statistics
Typical #LongCovid case is female, w/o pre-existing illness, 'mildly' sick, not hospitalised, looks healthy, must work, not part of statistics 5/8

People w/ #LongCovid need governments to quantify disease burden & recognise the disease; multidisciplinary consultations; support from employers, particularly if they were infected at work; and researchers to involve patients to help them set research priorities. 6/8

I still suffer from a myriad of symptoms, the worst being shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, insomnia & fatigue #MECFS. I'm unable to go running & start training for next marathon, I can't read books, sleep though night. I had no sick day & worked 100% (home office) 7/8

I'm grateful. I have learned that I must fight, speak up & out myself if I feel that I'm being wronged. I must focus on essentials, can't waste energy & time for idiots. I have virtually met a bubble of fantastic knowledgeable & committed people. I will heal. #CountLongCovid 8/8