Long Covid patients using unproven and expensive treatments, experts warn

People with long Covid are turning to unproven and expensive treatments because of a lack of approved therapies coupled with a need to return to paid work, experts have warned.

However, despite myriad research endeavours, there is as yet no cure beyond natural recovery, which can take time, while only a fraction of people with long Covid have received support from services such as long Covid clinics.

While some patients say they have been helped by the treatments, which have not been tested with rigorous trials, experts have warned unproven therapies can be misleading and even dangerous.

Prof Amitava Banerjee, also of UCL, who is leading a study into treatments for long Covid, said an environment of mistrust in experts, misinformation and regulatory issues have contributed to the situation.

But, he added, the standard of research should be no different for long Covid as for other diseases, saying everything can and should be evaluated.

Dr David Robert Grimes, a researcher and author of The Irrational Ape, said the cause and nature of long Covid was still being unpicked, making the claims of some companies doubtful.

Higham added that while the long Covid community is well connected and adept at joining forces to scrutinise possible treatments, she said the best way to protect patients was to offer support.