Actually everything was over. In November, Hannah (name changed by the editor), 14 years old, had Covid-19. A very easy course, only a little tiredness and runny nose caught her eye. She almost didn’t notice the infection at all. After a few days it was all over again – at least Hannah thought.
14-year-old collapses
More than six months later – Hannah had no symptoms in the meantime and had even been vaccinated – the sporty girl takes part in the Regensburg district. Shortly before the finish she is actually doing well in the race, but suddenly she collapses. She can barely breathe and has a racing heart. Eventually she vomits.
Many weeks have passed since then and the 14-year-old is still finding it difficult to do a lot of things that were previously possible without any problems. In the morning climbing stairs with a full school bag, for example. Anyway, strenuous sport is out of the question, and when playing the clarinet, you often run out of air when playing high notes.
Symptoms are explored
Cases like Hannah’s are observed again and again at the Hedwigs Clinic in Regensburg. The Children’s University Clinic of the Barmherzigen Brüder is one of the leading cooperation partners in the “Post-Covid-Kids Bavaria” project. Together with numerous institutions throughout the Free State, the symptoms of the disease in adolescents are researched here. In addition, the diagnosis options are to be improved and, of course, it is also about treating the symptoms.
But that is anything but easy, as Post-Covid shows a lot of different faces. Professor Michael Kabesch is the medical director of the Hedwigs Clinic. He and his team often observe young patients who suffer from chronic fatigue, show poor concentration at school or have heart and lung problems. Even skin problems and hair loss have already been identified as possible consequences of a corona infection. In the end, many individual treatment methods have to be found that are suitable for the respective patient, says Kabesch.
14-year-olds rely on lung spray
The doctors diagnosed Hannah with a disease of the bronchi, which is observed frequently in Covid patients who have actually recovered. The 14-year-old now has to use a spray for the bronchi twice a day. Overall, she already feels a lot better again. But it may take some time before she is fully fit again. She hopes to be fully resilient again in a year at the latest.
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