For Anita Kral, getting a long Covid diagnosis was a battle that lasted more than two years.
“I was told repeatedly this can’t be due to Covid,” the 33-year-old said.
Like many long Covid sufferers, Anita experienced persistent fatigue, brain fog, respiratory issues, joint and muscle pain, and insomnia. The symptoms were debilitating.
“I was regularly fainting and passing out. I was perfectly fine before my first Covid infection — and I never recovered from that initial infection.”
Now, researchers in Adelaide are working to change the way long COVID is diagnosed.
In a world-first supported by The Hospital Research Foundation Group, a University of Adelaide research team has identified a potential biomarker linked to the condition, paving the way for a simple blood test that could diagnose the condition quicker.
Before the test can be widely used, the team is seeking participants for a clinical trial to help validate the discovery.
“This test will comprehensively evaluate hundreds of people, and really identify that we do have a biomarker for long Covid,” trial lead Associate Professor Branka Grubor-Bauk said.
Backed by a $1.3 million grant from the Federal Government and The Hospital Research Foundation Group, the research is offering new hope to both sufferers and clinicians.
Almost anyone with a medically diagnosed Covid infection is eligible to participate. Those interested in taking part can contact the Long Covid Clinic at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on 0418 890 857.
For Anita, whose story is shared in the 7NEWS story above, she’s hopeful the trial will help give answers to long suffering people like her.
“It will give us a greater understanding of the prevalence of long Covid within our community too,” she said.
