Affordable, Accessible, Online Health

Steroids and Long COVID

Feb 14, 2022 | COVID19, Long COVID

Are Steroids Helpful in Long COVID?

Many patients ask me about steroids early in the treatment of long COVID-19. While it’s true that steroids are often used in hospitalized patients with active COVID-19, the evidence for their effectiveness in patients who are recovering is not strong.

In fact, in animal studies of how COVID affects the brain, it appears that the non-judicious use of steroids in COVID-19 infection can make things worse.  That’s because early in COVID-19 infection, the immune system needs to be fully functional and at full speed.  Steroids like prednisone and dexamethasone shut down immune defense systems, which gives the virus an unchecked advantage in spreading inside the body.

Steroids for COVID-19?

Steroids Are Helpful in Hospitalized COVID.

When COVID-19 patients land in the hospital, its usually because their lungs are failing.  The current evidence indicates that in some people, due to underlying disease or genetic factors, COVID-19 infection triggers a hyper-reaction in their immune system.  The lungs are at ground zero of this reaction and are damaged in the cross-fire.  In this setting, steroids are used to tone-down the immune response to lessen lung damage.

How Would Steroids Help in Long COVID?

We are at the very edge of understanding this question. The first studies that will answer this will be conducted in hamsters, a species that remarkably mimics COVID-19 infection in humans.

It will be sometime before we know how applicable these findings are to humans. Nonetheless, these studies are encouraging and provide additional insight into COVID-19 and long Covid symptoms.

Long COVID Information

Long COVID is a fascinating medical challenge!  Helping patients navigate to recovery from Long COVID is a top priority at Wellivery.  Keep track of Long COVID developments by bookmarking the Wellivery Long COVID page.

Subscribe Now!

Get email notifications when I post new Health Topics.

Maintaining Muscle Mass

Your Maintaining Mass While Losing Weight: The Why, What and How!​ Introduction: Weight loss drugs such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have allowed my patients to see more weight loss than in the past.   While the weight loss advantages of these medications is...

Is Tirzepatide For You?

Is Tirzepatide For You?

* As you know, excess body weight increases your chances of: heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.* Studies show that medication, hospital and doctor costs are higher if you are overweight or obese.* Good News! Small changes in your weight can pay off big in reducing...

Change Your Weight for Better Health!

Change Your Weight for Better Health!

* Extra body weight increases your chances of: heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.* On top of these scary issues, medication, hospital and doctor costs are higher if you are overweight or obese.* Good News! Small changes in your weight can dramaticlaly...

Quit Smoking: How Wellivery Can Help

* Cigarette smoking is the most powerful risk factor that you can control!* Quitting isn't easy and usually takes several tries.* The benefit for preventing heart attacks and cancer is huge.* Wellivery will help you get there by prescribing medication that...

Doctor Visits on Your Phone!

Doctor Visits on Your Phone!

Quality chronic disease care depends on self-management by patients. A large part of my role as a physician is teaching self-management skills. Crucial to these skills are techniques you will use to assess: - Your Symptoms, and, - Your Chronic Disease...

Everyday Health for

Everybody!

 Same Day Appointments are Available.

720-900-0943

Telemedicine for You!