Long COVID: Expert advice, from diagnosis to treatment and recovery

by Steven Faux

The definitive guide to Long Covid, by internationally renowned rehabilitation specialist and cofounder of one of Australia's first Long Covid clinics.

In a few short years, Long Covid has established itself as one of our most significant health issues, estimated to have affected up to 1 million Australians – and studies suggest that this number is rising. Until now, the lack of understanding and information around this chronic condition has meant that people have largely suffered in silence.

Here for the first time is a comprehensive overview of the disease. Written by Professor Steven Faux AM, one of Australia's leading experts on the treatment of Long Covid, this complete guide draws on up-to-the-minute research, providing:

• advice on diagnosis, key risk factors and prevention
• the very latest on how to identify and manage symptoms
• tips for staying positive and dealing with uncertainty
• an overview of treatment options, for the short and long term, to ensure ongoing health and recovery
• compelling case studies from Australians of all ages living with Long Covid.

This book is essential reading for those experiencing ongoing symptoms following a COVID-19 infection, their loved ones, and the thousands of health professionals trying to navigate this disease on behalf of their patients.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Ben Clohesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent summary of the current state of Long COVID, especially in Australia. This is likely to be of interest mostly to those who are recovering from or living with Long COVID and their carers - however it is a good read for anyone interested in this topic.

It’s well written and very accessible. I found it very non-judgemental and provides options and evidence not prescriptive actions. Given where we’re at with the state of research into COVID this is refreshing. The author does not dismiss alternative health treatments and instead provides a framework for considering and helping determine what to try.

If you have Long COVID you must read this. If you’re a health practitioner you should too.

[Jade Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some neat summaries of the theories of long covid caused and symptoms, but the book seemed to lean heavily on rehabilitation techniques and to warn against many of the medical treatments and medicines that patients and other doctors are recommending and finding effective. I found it rather biased and conservative.

[Jemima · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dr Steven Faux proposes in this book that the only "proven" treatment for long covid is rehabilitation. The research on which this was based was flawed as it only used hospitalised patients. Most long covid patients have not been hospitalised.

Please see a critique here: https://virology.ws/2024/12/09/trial-...

I would advise patients to understand other patients' experiences through platforms like Facebook and Reddit. Dr Faux dismisses widely used medications to manage symptom such as low dose naltrexone. I worry this will contribute to an increase in patient suffering.

I would recommend instead The Long Covid Handbook.