SHARE LOVE, NOT GERMS: LONG COVID & HYPERMOBILITY

It is that time of year again; viruses are among us! You may hear Dr. Allyson say “share love, not germs” quite a bit. And she means it. Here’s why.

For some, COVID-19 may feel like just a cold, but for our floppy friends, COVID can wreak absolute havoc. Even though floppies and non-floppies get COVID at similar rates, floppy individuals are significantly more likely to develop long COVID.

Why is that? Research is still emerging, but we are beginning to see some interesting connections. Long COVID and hypermobility spectrum disorders share features including dysautonomia, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and inflammatory dysfunction. Researchers are also exploring whether infection-associated inflammation may worsen previously recognized, or even previously unrecognized, hypermobility-related symptoms such as immunological dysfunction, MCAS, or POTS.

So not only is COVID stirring the pot (yes, a POTS joke… and no, I will not promise to stop), but SARS-CoV-2 can also cause abnormal immune responses involving traumatized tissue. Researchers have proposed that persistent inflammation may contribute to connective tissue damage, particularly in tissues already experiencing microtrauma or injury. For our floppy friends, that raises some interesting questions about what happens when inflammation meets an already complicated connective tissue system. Add in the potential for MCAS or dysautonomia symptoms to flare, and cue the Cycle of Doom. (It’s almost impressive how many things circle back to that cycle.)

COVID is also much more than an upper respiratory infection. We now know SARS-CoV-2 can affect multiple systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, immune, and vascular systems. For our floppy friends, one particularly important piece is the autonomic nervous system. Dysautonomia, including POTS, is increasingly recognized as part of the long COVID picture.

With all of this being said, this is not meant to scare you. This is meant to educate, empower, and remind you that your experiences are real. Yes, COVID may hit you differently than your non-floppy friends. No, it’s not in your head, and we finally have the science to prove it.

As we enter the season of “oh, it’s just a sniffle,” please be mindful and respectful that for our floppy friends, that nose drip might mean something more.

Cover your mouth. Wash your hands.

And always:

SHARE LOVE, NOT GERMS

Want to go down the rabbit hole?

Ganesh, R., & Munipalli, B. (2024). Long COVID and hypermobility spectrum disorders have shared pathophysiology. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1455498.

Read the full article

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About the Author

Allyson Barnes, PT, DPT is the founder of BAR Therapies and BAR Institute. She is a physical therapist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of symptomatic hypermobility and related connective tissue disorders. Through The Floppy Files, Allyson translates complex research into practical, evidence-informed education that helps patients, families, and healthcare professionals better understand hypermobility and participate more fully in everyday life. Learn more about Allyson, explore more articles in The Floppy Files, or browse continuing education courses through BAR Institute.

This content is intended for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding your specific health concerns.