What long COVID is
Real, biological, and probably several conditions at once.
If standard tests came back normal and you were told it was in your head, this page is the counter-evidence, drawn straight from the research.
AIt is real, even when standard tests look normal
Across the graph, 9 findings show measurable abnormality that routine tests miss. Specialized testing sees what standard panels do not.
- Dysautonomia / autonomic dysfunction
- fibrinaloid microclots">fibrinaloid microclots">Fibrinaloid microclots / coagulopathy
- Endothelial dysfunction
- Mitochondrial / metabolic dysfunction
- Exercise intolerance / reduced VO2
- Impaired alveolar-capillary gas transfer (RBC:tissue-plasma, low TLco)
- Subclinical myocardial strain / reduced GLS
- Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI / DLCO
BIt is several overlapping conditions
In many people a persistent viral reservoir">viral reservoir">viral reservoir appears to set off the other mechanisms, which then drive the symptom clusters. Persistence is documented in a subset, not everyone, which is why no single story fits all patients.
Viral persistence drives Immune dysregulation & autoimmunity (pathogenic IgG).
Viral persistence drives Gut-serotonin axis.
Viral persistence drives Gut dysbiosis (SCFA-producer depletion, pathobiont enrichment).
CIt affects nearly every system
The atlas maps 8 body systems. Each has its own front door from the homepage.
DNo cure yet, and we say so
39 treatments are catalogued, each opening with what is and isn't known. Some were tested and failed outright:
- Metformin: tested, did not work gradenegative
- CBT / CBT-I (supportive): tested, did not work gradenegative
- Ivabradine: tested, did not work gradenegative
EMood and thinking changes are biological too
Depression, anxiety, and brain fog in long COVID track with inflammation, blood-brain-barrier changes, and serotonin disruption. They are not simply a reaction to being unwell. The mood and cognitive sections carry that evidence on every claim.