While there are many things we do not yet know about Long COVID, BHC’s years of clincial care and research experience can help inform patients and healthcare professionals as they approach the diagnostic and managed care of those with post-viral illness presentation.
***COMORBID CONDITIONS***
BHC’s 2022 new patient enrollment coming soon. Status updates will be reflected on the Clinical Care page.
Bateman Horne Center joined over 80 partners in the fight to find answers for Long COVID and post-viral illness. The Long COVID Alliance launched by Solve ME/CFS Initiative, is a network of patient-advocates, scientists, disease and public health experts, and drug developers, who have joined together to leverage our collective knowledge and resources to educate policy makers and accelerate research to transform our understanding of post-infectious illness.
Learn more about the Long COVID Alliance here.
Identifying Commonly Comorbid Conditions
In the past, a diagnosis of ME/CFS was made by first excluding all other possible conditions. However, the 2015 National Academy of Medicine report established ME/CFS as a positive diagnosis that can coexist with other conditions, including those in the differential diagnosis. Recognizing comorbid conditions early and treating appropriately may improve the patient’s health, function, and quality of life. *Content is directly from the U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coaltion*
Commonly comorbid conditions include:
Medical Provider Resources
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- Evaluating & Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions (Interim CDC Guidance: June 14, 2021)
- Will COVID-19 Lead to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Frontiers in Medicine, 2021)
- US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition Letter: Post-COVID “Long Haulers” and ME/CFS (October 2020)
- Long COVID: Doctors must assess and investigate patients properly (The BMJ)
- Post COVID-19 Fatigue, Post/Long COVID-19 Syndromes & Post-COVID ME/CFS (Dr. Charles Shepherd)
Sympathetic Overdrive
Sympathetic Overdrive
- BHC’s Guidance on Assessing & Managing Aspects of ME/CFS
- Testing Recommendations for Suspected ME/CFS (US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition, 2021)
- ME/CFS Treatment Recommendations (US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition, 2021)
- Basics of Diagnosis & Treatment of ME/CFS (US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition, 2020)
- Orthostatic Intolerance (basics, symptoms, interventions)
- Assessing Orthostatic Intolerance: 10-Minute NASA Lean Test (provider instructions)
- 10-Minute NASA Lean Test (patient instructions)
Videos
- Clinical Presentation of Long COVID Subset Similar to ME/CFS (16 min, Nov. 2021)
- What is ME/CFS? (diagnostic criteria- 6 minute video)
- What is Orthostatic Intolerance in ME/CFS Part 1 (assessment- 6 min video)
- What is Orthostatic Intolerance in ME/CFS Part 2 (management -5 minute video)
- Addressing Orthostatic Intolerance in ME/CFS (13 min, Nov. 2021)
- University of Utah Health Project ECHO COVID-19 Series (August 2020)
Patient Resources
The following resources are not intended to serve as, or replace, the medical care provided by the healthcare providers serving those with Long COVID.
These resources have been developed for those with ME/CFS, FM and related conditions. However, they may aid those experiencing Long COVID symptoms as they work with their care team on assessment and ongoing management options.
Disability and Accommodations
Videos and Handouts
- The Clinical Presentation of Long COVID Subset Similar to ME/CFS (Nov. 2021)
- Addressing Orthostatic Intoleralce in ME/CFS (Nov. 2021)
- Common Comorbid Conditions: Long COVID, ME/CFS/FM, & Post-Viral Illnesses (March 2021)
- Long COVID event with BHC (Oct. 2020)
- Utah Long Hauler’s and BHC webinar (Oct. 2020)
- Activity Intolerance, PEM, & Pacing PEM (40 min video)
- Orthostatic Intolerance (34 min video)
- Restorative Sleep (27 min video)
- Cognitive Impairment (19 min video)
- Post-COVID Care-Interim CDC Guidance (June 2021, website)
- US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition COVID-19 Long Hauler Considerations Letter
- Pacing & Management Guide (#MEAction)
- Health Assessment Worksheet
- Orthostatic Intolerance (basics, symptoms, interventions)
- 10-Minute NASA Lean Test – Patient preparation (provider instructions above)
- Four Key Questions About Long COVID (June 2021)
While the following videos are geared towards medical professionals, patients and their families have found them to be an insightful tool to share with their providers when assessing for ME/CFS and orthostatic intolerance (OI).
- What is ME/CFS? (diagnostic criteria- 6 minute video)
- What is Orthostatic Intolerance in ME/CFS Part 1 (assessment- 6 min video)
- What is Orthostatic Intolerance in ME/CFS Part 2 (management -5 minute video)
COVID-19 and Post-COVID Considerations in Children and Teens
- American Academy of Pediatrics Offers Guidance in Caring for Children After COVID-19 Infection
- CDC Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions (Interim Guidance)
- Post-COVID-19 COnditions in Children and Adolescents
- Interim Guidance on Integrating and Supporting the Emotional and Behavioral Health Needs of Children, Adolescents, and Families Affected During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Caring for Children with Special Health Care Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Information for Healthcare Providers about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
- Long-Haul COVID-19 in Children and Teens
Support Resources
The unexpected physical and life changes associated with Long COVID and chronic illness are challenging. The following resources serve to connect you with others and offer hope.
Connect with others
- Utah Strong Recovery Project: Counseling for COVID-Related Stress
- Intermountain Health: COVID-19 Emotional Health Relief Hotline
- Body Politic: COVID-19 Support Group
- University of Utah Health College of Nursing: Caring Connections (COVID-19 grief & recovery support group)
- BHC bi-monthly support groups for those with ME/CFS, FM, Long COVID and related comorbid conditions.
- Held on the second and third Tuesdays of every month from 1-2 pm, Mountain Time.
- See the event calendar for registration details.
Lucinda Bateman, MD, is a renowned clinician, researcher, and educator. Her Johns Hopkins University Medical School training instilled an approach to care that she has employed throughout her career - the patient comes first and the unknown or unexplained does not equate to a lack of proper and compassionate care. Since starting her own practice in 2000, she has served on six boards or committees, been the principal investigator for 45 studies, authored/coauthored 40 journal articles, served as adjunct instructor and adjunct assistant professor in the University of Utah Departments of Preventative Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Anesthesiology, and lectured around the world.