An estimated 10 to 30 percent of people who are infected with COVID 19 experience long-haul symptoms according to speech-language pathologists at USM. Symptoms can range from brain fog and fatigue to cardiovascular problems. Steve Cloud with the School of Speech and Hearing Sciences says they can evaluate symptoms like difficulty speaking and
"We have audiologists in the department who can determine possible causes for vertigo. People who have concentration and memory difficulties, we can work on their cognitive or thinking skills," said Cloud.
Cloud says long haul COVID can be debilitating. Lisa Williams of Columbia, says she contracted coronavirus in March of 2020, while in the hospital. The 49-year old says she was already at risk due to obesity and chronic illnesses that include asthma. Williams says COVID 19 left her unable to walk.
"They taught me how to walk again. I'm not walking without assistance still. I've been walking with a walker. I have to have someone behind me," said Williams.
Williams says she's been suffering with tremors as she awaits tests for brain activity. Sixty-eight year old Suzie Foote of Jackson, says she was completely healthy when she caught the virus at a Thanksgiving gathering. The retired nurse developed double pneumonia and since then, has been suffering with exhaustion and brain fog.
"I was just completely out of gas and I had no motivation to move which is highly unusual again. But now I'm back trying to jumpstart my physical activity and it's working," said Foote.
Foote says she sought experts to help with her recovery.
