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.

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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. 

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Why is that? Research is still very new (as in… not-even-peer-reviewed-yet new), but early findings suggest that viral illnesses like COVID-19 may worsen or unmask previously unrecognized symptoms such as immunological dysfunction, MCAS, or POTS.

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So not only is COVID stirring the pot (yes, a POTS joke… and no, I will not promise to stop), but SARS-CoV-2 virus also specifically targets dysfunctional connective tissue. Any tissue dealing with microtrauma, instability, or wear-and-tear becomes more vulnerable to the inflammatory storm that COVID creates. This can trigger an MCAS flare or dysautonomic attack. Cue the Cycle of Doom. (It’s almost impressive how many things circle back to that cycle.)

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COVID-19 was once thought of as just an upper respiratory virus, but emerging literature tells a very different story: COVID behaves more like a brainstem virus. Think about the classic symptoms: altered smell and taste (cranial nerves in brainstem), changes in hearing (cranial nerves in brainstem), breathing difficulties (vagus nerve— yep, also in brainstem). The part of the brain that regulates equilibrium (heart rate, blood pressure, and autonomic stability) is also housed in the brainstem. That’s a lot of brainstem involvement. So it’s not exactly shocking that we’re seeing increased rates of dysautonomia (like POTS) after a COVID infection.

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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.

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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.

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Cover your mouth. Wash your hands.

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And always:

        SHARE LOVE, NOT GERMS