🦠 Long COVID Got You Down? NIH’s Newest Trials Might Just Lift Your Spirits! 🙌
TL;DR: The National Institutes of Health is inviting peeps suffering from long COVID to hop on clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. Will they finally be the saving grace for millions? 🤔
Remember when wine tasting like water 🍷💧 was the least of your worries? Well, say hello to long COVID. But if you’re one of those souls desperately googling, “How to deal with long COVID?” every night, the NIH might have your back.
NIH is giving a big shoutout to long COVID patients to join clinical trials that’ll put several treatments under the microscope. 🕵️♂️ They’re throwing four treatments into the arena now, but hold on to your lab coats, folks, there’s more! Over the next few months, they’re aiming to test seven additional treatments – a delightful cocktail of drugs, devices, biologics, and therapies.
Acting NIH Director Lawrence A. Tabak spilled the beans 🍵, saying, “Our aim is for these treatments to do wonders, but hey, we might discover some are just hype without the substance.” So, basically, be hopeful but keep those expectations in check?
Now, diving deep into the ocean of U.S. adults, we find that 15% have had a rendezvous with long COVID symptoms at some point. While a solid 6% are still jamming with the symptoms, thanks to data from a January study by KFF.
And here’s the skinny on the trials:
RECOVER-VITAL: Think of this as the Avengers trying to wipe out Thanos. The trial aims at treating SARS-CoV-2 when it refuses to leave the body and starts causing havoc. The weapon of choice? The antiviral Paxlovid. 🦸♂️🔫
RECOVER-NEURO: For those struggling with brain fog or just can’t remember where they kept their keys. 🧠💭
RECOVER-SLEEP: This one’s for the night owls and the insomniacs. Whether you’re sleeping too much or just can’t catch those Zs, they’ve got you. 🌙💤
RECOVER-AUTONOMIC: Focusing on our body’s autopilot system, which handles heartbeats, breaths, and those occasional stomach grumbles during meetings. ❤️🫁🍔
But wait, there’s a plot twist! NIH’s also eyeing a fifth platform exploring why long COVID warriors can’t get their groove on with exercise and face fatigue. 🚴💤
According to Dr. Kanecia Zimmerman, from Duke University Medical Center, they’re planning to recruit anywhere from 300 to a whopping 900 participants in some trials. Wanna be a part of the history? Check out recovercovid.org.
Adm. Rachel Levine from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services chimed in, highlighting that these trials are a cornerstone of their strategy against long COVID. “With enough support, care, and current info on long COVID, we can hope to ease the load on those affected.”
Now, a thought: If these treatments pass the litmus test, could they change the game for the countless people battling long COVID? What’s your take? 🤷♂️
Disclaimer: This article is meant to inform, not advise. Remember, the way to a safer world is through verified information and professional guidance. Always consult healthcare professionals regarding medical decisions.
So, dear readers, what are your thoughts on this? Could these trials be the dawn of a new age for long COVID patients? 🌅💡 And more importantly, if you were a superhero battling long COVID, which superhero would you be? 🦸♂️🦸♀️🤪 Discuss below! 👇👇👇
