Avera Research joins national study into long Covid-19 on young people

Avera Research Institute will join more than 30 other research teams across the country to study treatment options for young people suffering from long Covid, Avera Health announced Tuesday.

The Sioux Falls based research group will partner with the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute in the study, known as the Research COVID to Enhance Recovery Initiative. The study is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

Avera Health will begin enrolling children and adults up to 25 for a four-year study to identify the long-term effects of long Covid and possible treatment options. Nationally, the study cohort could include tens of thousands.

“Recovery from COVID-19 varies from person to person,” said Amy Elliott, the chief clinical research officer at Avera Research Institute. “Many people make a full recovery, but others continue to experience symptoms related to the infection or develop new symptoms over time. This includes people who had mild cases of COVID-19.”

More: South Dakota treating fewest COVID patients in ICU since July

The most common persistent symptoms include pain, headaches, fatigue, “brain fog,” shortness of breath, anxiety, depression, fever, chronic cough and sleep problems. Some people, especially those who were severely ill, may have lingering lung problems.

Current data suggest that about 10-30% of those who have had an acute infection of SARS-CoV-2 will experience persistent symptoms lasting at least one month.

Because the symptoms of long COVID are similar to those of other conditions, it can go undiagnosed.

“Our goal is to identify children and young adults who may have this condition and help them toward recovery,” Elliott said.

Parents who feel their child is experiencing symptoms that interfere with their daily life should talk to their child’s health care provider.

To learn more about enrolling in the study, call 605-504-3154.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Avera Research officials to study long Covid in young people