People with 'Long Covid' continue to receive treatment, HSE meeting told

The HSE is unlikely to be able to outline a cure for long-term health conditions relating to Covid-19, as well as Lyme Disease, but the current procedure for treating people with the conditions was outlined to members at a meeting of Health Forum West last week.

Saolta Interim CEO Ann Cosgrove told the forum Galway University Hospital is currently running a treatment service for people from the West of Ireland who are suffering from what has become known as 'Long Covid'. GUH runs weekly clinics, held on Monday mornings, as well as a second one in Merlin Park Hospital, which is led by a respiratory consultant. Urgent referrals are seen within two weeks while routine referrals are seen within two months.

Ms Cosgrove added that it would be impossible to state whether there was a cure for Long Covid, adding: “I would have to get a clinical response on that but clinicians would probably have a little difficulty in answering that also as it is a very different scenario with every individual that has long-term Covid. So I am not sure a categoric answer is available.”

In relation to Lyme Disease, members of the forum were told that HSE guidelines exist for the treatment of such cases but guidelines from Britain or the United States are used when cases are more complex.

“Doxycycline is the first line for treatment of early non-disseminated Lyme Disease as well as for post-exposure prophylaxis of Lyme Disease. Amoxicillin and azithromycin may also be used in certain instances. Ten days is the recommended duration in the more recent guidance. Alternatives are available in case of allergy, pregnancy, etc. More complex infections (including early disseminated or later stage infection) are managed by treating physicians, with advice from Microbiology and/or Infectious Diseases teams.”