South Florida lacks long COVID treatment options - Axios MiamiLog InLog InAxios Miami is an Axios company.

South Florida lacks long COVID treatment options

Data: ; Map: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsMore than a quarter of Floridians who know they've had COVID say they've also experienced the often disabling aftereffects known as long COVID, according to . Driving the news: Nearly 24 million adults in the U.S. have long COVID, and more than 80% are having some trouble carrying out daily activities, based on CDC data released last month. The rate of those was highest in West Virginia (49%), compared with the state with the lowest rate, Vermont (22%). State of play: Long COVID symptoms shortness of breath, cognitive difficulties and symptoms that worsen even with minimal physical or mental effort — a primary indicator of chronic fatigue syndrome, Moreno writes.The pandemic brought more attention to chronic fatigue, once largely dismissed in health care, but misunderstandings and stigma persist.Up to 4 million Americans are estimated to be out of work because of long COVID, according to report in August. Zoom in: Florida lacks an adequate number of long COVID treatment options to meet the need, Survivor Corps, an advocacy group for COVID care and research, told Axios.The group has identified only four active long COVID clinics in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. What they're saying: Miami rheumatologist Norman Gaylis at his Aventura office, with options spanning from a zinc-based dietary supplement he developed to corticosteroids and fluids. Gaylis told Axios that his patients have complained about not having enough treatment options in the area. Yes, but: Memorial Healthcare System recently expanded long-COVID treatment options to all 11 of its primary-care locations across South Broward and North Dade, a spokesperson said. Be smart: A study published recently in JAMA Network Open found long COVID could set individuals back the equivalent of a decade's worth of aerobic fitness, . Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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