A BUCKFASTLEIGH man who has had one of the longest battles with coronavirus, has called for more recognition of ‘long haulers’.

Gavin Kilty noticed the first symptoms of Covid-19 at the end of March and is still suffering with symptoms of the illness.

‘We long-haulers are in unchartered territory. None of us knows how this will end,’ says the 72-year-old.

‘Thus, it is incumbent on the authorities to turn their attention to this issue, and to listen and learn. ’

Covid-19 has affected this country for a few months now.

Of those who were infected by it at the beginning, many have died, many have recovered completely, and many are still symptomatic.

‘This third group have been termed “long-haulers,” and I am one,’ says Gavin.

The general experience of long-haulers is one of regular relapse. The time between relapses varies.

‘I have gone ten days with hardly any symptoms and suddenly it comes back with a vengeance. ‘Relapses can be for a few days, up to a week, or even longer. Some long-haulers have no respite and suffer symptoms continually.

‘For some, the relapses are milder than the first onset but for others a relapse is like being thrown back to the time it first hit them.

‘I began showing symptoms at the end of March. It is now mid-August. That means I am in to my 19th week of this virus. I am not alone.

‘There are thousands of us, in the UK and around the world. There is a wonderful online support called Body Politic where we share our experiences, our hopes, and often our despair.

‘ I am speaking out because I and many others feel that there is not enough investigation into the pathology of this long-term, symptomatic experience of Covid-19, and consequently there are no proven treatments and therapies for those who are suffering from these effects.

‘There is no conclusion on whether the symptoms we are experiencing is because of a misfiring immune system or that the virus is still present. Those who suffer from shortness of breath will often present with normal oxygen levels in their blood.

‘Some who experience fever and hot flushes often have a normal temperature.

‘This has led some medical practitioners to conclude that the symptoms long-haulers are experiencing are “in the mind” or a product of anxiety.

‘This is simply not true and such statements insult the intelligence.

‘As well as there being a general lack of concern, there has been no attempt by local authorities to track the progress of long-term sufferers.

‘This could have been done out of concern or even for statistical purposes.

‘Surely it is of benefit to have studies of long-term sufferers for the purpose of finding effective treatments or just to increase the general stock of knowledge of this nasty virus.

‘The media too shows no interest in long-haulers. They are more concerned with the effects of lockdown on our society than with those who still suffer.

‘Every day there are reports on some aspect of government Covid policy, on quarantine rules, on the effect lockdown is having on industry, schools, and elsewhere.

All of these are valid and necessary, but the human element of those who suffer from the illness is ignored.

‘Some of the stories on the support group site are heartbreaking: people panicking in the middle of the night because they can’t breathe properly, fatigue that drives them to bed for days, heart palpitations preventing sleep, gastric issues, headaches, and so on, all overlayered with a fear and a feeling of loneliness because no-one knows what to do.

‘Doctors reassure but can offer little else.

‘Why don’t these stories make the headlines? \

Therefore, this call for support and recognition is not a desire for sympathy or a cry for attention. We long-haulers are in unchartered territory.

‘None of us knows how this will end. Thus, it is incumbent on the authorities to turn their attention to this issue, and to listen and learn. ’