Long-Haul COVID Cases Cast New Light on Chronic Fatigue Sufferers

Lingering symptoms plague some post-COVID patients but may reduce stigma around chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue (CF) plagues many patients with lingering COVID-19, but unlike many CF patients, at least they won’t be told it’s all in their head. fizkes/Shutterstock

Four weeks after San Diego pediatric nurse Jennifer Minhas fell ill with COVID-19 in March 2020, her cough and fever had resolved, but new symptoms had emerged: chest pain, an elevated heart rate, and crushing fatigue. Her primary care physician told her she was just anxious, and that none of her other COVID-19 patients had those issues.

“That wasn’t what I needed to hear,” Minhas said.