In this episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosts Dr. Anita Chopra, Dr. Aaron Friedberg, and Carissa Lee are joined by Dr. Alba Azola, a rehabilitation physician and leading expert on long COVID at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Azola delves into the intricacies of autonomic nervous system dysregulation in long COVID and how it can manifest in diverse symptoms such as brain fog, POTS, and temperature dysregulation. The discussion explores innovative diagnostics and therapies, including blood-brain barrier studies and interventions like venous stenting. The episode offers insights into promising treatments, such as vagal nerve stimulation and IVIGs, and underscores the need for a nuanced, patient-centered approach to research and clinical management.

Edited and Produced by Christopher Chiu and Carissa Lee

In this episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosted by Drs. Anita Chopra, Tiffany Walker, Andrew Schamess, and Aaron Friedberg, Dr. Michael Peluso shares groundbreaking insights into long COVID research. Dr. Peluso is an infectious disease physician and leader of the Long-term Impact of Infection with Novel Coronavirus (LIINC) study at UCSF. The discussion highlights the persistent presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the gut and immune system, revealing elevated immune activation in post-COVID patients and unexpected virus fragment locations. Dr. Peluso explores pivotal clinical trials with antivirals and monoclonal antibodies, emphasizing the need for better biomarkers and collaborative research efforts to accelerate diagnostics and therapies. His work aims to transform long COVID from a mysterious condition into a manageable illness, offering hope for millions affected.

Edited and Produced by Christopher Chiu and Carissa Lee

This episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosted by Drs. Anita Chopra, Andrew Schamess, and Aaron Friedberg, features Dr. Nisha Viswanathan, internist and director of the long COVID Program at UCLA. The discussion delves into the complex relationship between long COVID and dysautonomia, including the distinctions between orthostatic intolerance, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and hyperadrenergic POTS. Dr. Viswanathan describes practical diagnostic tools such as the COMPASS 31 questionnaire and NASA Lean Test, and explores effective management strategies, including salt and fluid intake, and medications like fludrocortisone, beta blockers, and ivabradine. The conversation also touches on the overlap with conditions like ME-CFS and mast cell activation syndrome, and highlights upcoming treatments and research that promise to transform care for post-viral autonomic syndromes. The episode concludes with a focus on providing primary care physicians with actionable insights to improve patient outcomes in long COVID.

Edited and Produced by Christopher Chiu and Carissa Lee