Mother Shares Heart-Wrenching Account of How Long COVID Has Impacted Her Child

On a warm August day, I had a virtual conversation with Laura Thompson and her daughter, Mia. While Laura was at home in South Dakota, I found myself in my bedroom, trying to escape the delightful chaos of my kids. Our chat lasted nearly an hour and was the result of numerous emails exchanged due to our busy schedules and children falling ill. Ironically, we were discussing health challenges, as Laura’s daughter, Mia, is one of the many children suffering from long COVID.

At just 11 years old, Mia’s ordeal began like many others — she contracted the virus after being exposed at school. Eight children were quarantined, and several showed symptoms. Even though Mia tested negative for COVID, doctors suggested her fever and stomach pains were due to constipation. However, after months of fatigue, nausea, and headaches, Laura insisted on further investigation. To their surprise, they discovered Mia had COVID antibodies, indicating she had contracted the virus at some point.

“For months, it felt like nobody believed us,” Laura shared. “They thought it was her appendix, but ruled that out. People kept saying it was constipation, but you can’t have a fever with that. I knew something was off, yet no one was testing for COVID. We spent two months without answers, which was incredibly frustrating and scary for both of us.”

With the test results finally in, Laura and Mia were able to seek appropriate care. After contacting Omaha Children’s Hospital and the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, they managed to get an appointment with the latter. The infectious disease doctor reassured Mia, saying, “We believe you,” which provided her with much-needed validation after previous visits left her feeling unheard.

After months of searching for answers, Mia finally began receiving treatment for a range of persistent symptoms associated with long COVID. For those unfamiliar with the term, long-haul COVID refers to a variety of long-lasting symptoms experienced after the initial recovery from the virus. Mia continues to suffer from chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, and cognitive difficulties, including brain fog. Despite the challenges, she uses a wheelchair to help her get around.

“She is constantly fatigued,” Laura explained. “Her pain levels are an eight out of ten. Although she tries to push through her day, there’s only so much she can do. Recovery from long COVID isn’t straightforward; there are ups and downs.”

Before contracting the virus, Mia was a vibrant, healthy child who enjoyed dancing, biking, and skiing. Watching her struggle now is heartbreaking for Laura. “It’s tough to see her limited to the couch and her cognitive abilities declining,” she said. “It’s a lot to bear.”

Laura’s message about COVID is simple: “It’s real, and it’s important for everyone to take it seriously. We don’t know who will be affected. If you knew Mia, you would see how she should have been fine. But she isn’t. I wish people would follow the science — wearing masks can only help.”

Mia echoed her mother’s sentiments, saying, “It’s real. This isn’t a joke. If I could do it again, I wouldn’t have gone to fifth grade. So, please get vaccinated, wear your mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands. The pain I experience is awful, and I don’t want anyone else to go through this.”

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In summary, Laura’s journey with her daughter Mia sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of children experiencing long COVID. Their story underscores the importance of believing in patient experiences and the need for increased awareness and understanding of this condition.

Keyphrase: long COVID in children

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