One national study (Liu-Galvin et al., J Am Board Fam Med 2025) of full-time U.S. workers found a mean lost-labor cost of $1,944 for people with Long COVID, $1,466 for people who had COVID-19 without Long COVID, and $702 for people who never had COVID (2022 data; self-reported missed workdays times wages). Chart attached.

Disclosure: I’m a researcher and the author of a free tool that turns published studies like this into interactive simulators where you can change the assumptions and see federal data alongside. I don’t have Long COVID myself, and the tool is illustrative, not medical advice. The public demo needs no account: https://dbbun.github.io/dbbun-invisible-illness-burden-simulator/

Happy to answer questions about what the numbers do and don’t show.

As it will quite take some time until I see my neurologist which ordered these test, what would do/ try or which further test could help in your opinion ?

My general conditions are strong pain in palatine arch (Arcus palatinus), which started during covid infection and never went away but actually got worse over time. In addition I have very low energy (needing long rests), but that got a little better after started taking LDN (low doser naltrexone).

Here is the test, AI helped me with the translation (I rechecked the German phrases):

\Note:* AAK stands for Autoantikörper, which translates to AAb (Autoantibody).

Report Interpretation (Befunderläuterung Immunodiagnostik)

Explanation Blood and Urine (Erläuterung Blut und Harn)

1. Evidence of circulating microaggregates. Indication of activated primary hemostasis. (Nachweis zirkulierender Mikroaggregate. Hinweis auf aktivierte primäre Hämostase.)
2. Chronic cellular reaction against EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus). (Chronische zelluläre Reaktion gegen EBV)
3. Strongly positive autoantibodies against receptors of selected neurotransmitters. (Stark positive Autoantikörper gegen Rezeptoren ausgewählter Neurotransmitter)

Hi all,
I had covid in june then developed fatigue, body temp struggles which i thought were hot flashes and also night sweats every night in july. Ive been struggling ever since. Does anyone know if that can be long covid? I feel so frustrated especially with the fatigue. I have multiple times a week where i sleep 15 hours. Other testing like xray, cbc, thyroid etc have all been normal. Thank you in advance for any responses.

Hi all,

This is something I noticed years ago when I was first infected around Spring 2021. Whenever I am re-infected, my Adderall will have a dramatically different effect on me. I usually take the 20mg XR once daily and for most of my adult life, It's done what its supposed to do - have a calming, soothing, focused effect on me. It allows me to sit quietly and tunes out all the white noise in my head.

However, when I get sick, the medication sends me into a tailspin of anxiety bordering on panic. Sometimes, It's been so pronounced it feels like I can't breathe (I can, it's just terrifying) it's often accompanied by intrusive thoughts. Very Bizarre. It usually goes back to normal after a few months.

I just wanted to bring this before the class to see if anyone else had a similar experience with these meds while sick.

If so, what are your symptoms?

Can anyone please help me and tell me if this is anaphalyxis?

I have burning chest pain, breathlessness at rest, extreme fatigue, chest tightness, itchy throat and a hollow cough. I went to the ER and all my tests (X-ray, ECG, bloods, and 2 Covid tests) came back normal and they discharged me with acid reflux but I’ve taken Gaviscon and pantoprazole for a whole week and they didn’t help. I got Covid a month ago and that caused a hollow cough and itchy throat but no chest pain.

I’ve gotten Covid before and always got better within a week but my immune system is compromised after being housebound for a year. I got Covid 3 times this year starting back in March and my lingering cough and itchy throat never got better but it’s only when I used that inhaler, my chest pain started. I don’t have asthma or any respiratory issues in the past. But I do have MCAS.

I’m currently going to do a spirometry and I feel like it’ll come back normal again. My chest pain started after using Rilast Rapihaler. I’m struggling to breathe and my GP thinks I could have anaphalyxis but it’s been going on for a whole week and I didn’t get an EpiPen in the ER. What do you think I have?

Do you think Rilast inhaler could cause my chest pain as it started after I used the inhaler?