1/ Four years ago, my son caught COVID-19. He was just 16 months old. What followed was terrifying: • COVID pneumonia • Hospitalization • Weeks of recovery • And a tragedy in our family This is the start of his Long COVID journey—one we’re still walking. 👇
150
746
3K
Replies
2/ When my toddler tested positive, I stayed with him in the COVID ward. That’s how I caught it too. Both of us developed COVID pneumonia. He was hospitalized for 2 weeks. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks. We survived—but not without lasting scars.
2
40
424
3/ Just 30 days after her COVID diagnosis, my son’s beloved live-in nanny, Khun Ming, passed away. She helped raise him. Her death devastated us all—and became the first of many losses tied to this virus. Son with Khun Ming about shortly after his birth.
2
33
428
4/ I also developed Long COVID. But this thread isn’t about me. It’s about my son—who never fully recovered. His respiratory symptoms never completely resolved after that initial COVID pneumonia. Four years later, we’re still managing them.
1
39
425
5/ Since his hospitalization, he’s returned to that same hospital many times. He’s seen: • General pediatrician • Pediatric pulmonologist • Pediatric infectious disease doctor • ENT • Others Each trying to understand why his symptoms persist.
2
25
385
6/ Here’s what has lingered for four years: • Chronic dry cough (no wheezing) • Recurrent sinus & throat infections • Sore throats, tonsillitis, fevers • Snoring, trouble swallowing • Loss of appetite & weight
4
27
396
7/ We’ve tried nearly everything to manage his symptoms: • Inhaled corticosteroids (daily for years) • Ventolin (rarely) • NAC, vitamins, nutritional support • Claritin • Antibiotics for confirmed infections
3
21
338
8/ Only this past April, after years of use, we finally stopped the corticosteroids. He still takes Claritin occasionally. Supplements continue. But the frequent throat infections continue too. His swollen tonsils make it hard to eat—no wonder he’s lost weight.
2
20
334
9/ We are now considering a tonsillectomy. The signs are pointing there: • Snoring • Low appetite • Difficulty swallowing • Weight loss It’s a tough call—but we’re likely nearing that decision.
10
20
328
10/ BACKGROUND: 📅 Weekly new COVID‑19 cases in Thailand – Jan to Jun 2021 My son was diagnosed during Thailand’s Delta wave, in early June 2021. By mid-June, cases surged—part of a sharp rise that peaked at ~50,000/day in August.
2
21
291
13/ 🧬 Scientists are still piecing together the cause of Long COVID in kids. Current hypotheses include: • Persistent viral fragments • Autoimmune reactivation • Microvascular inflammation
2
30
274
15/ Death isn’t the only negative outcome of COVID—kids are not immune to long-term effects. My son is now 6. Four years after his COVID pneumonia, he still struggles to eat, breathe, & stay healthy. Survival ≠ Recovery. #LongCovidKids #ProtectChildren We carry each other.
15
88
498
Typo, my son was 2 1/2 years old. Have no idea how I typed that wrong. He is now 6 1/2.
2
0
8
@IntegralAnswers Thanks for sharing and sorry this has happened to you and your son. Deniers will continue to deny until it happens to them. This is a real problem affecting millions. Sad how so many prefer to politicize instead of empathize. Hope you both recover fully soon.
1
1
47
We reaffirm that the main cause of LongCOVID is the Viral Persistence It should not be considered Post-Infectious,Sequelae There is an active infection that mainly affects the blood vessels and there are often co-infections Something similar happens in CFS https://t.co/oQ8E8DtS8d
2
5
34
@DrPops3 @agkmiller We were just unlucky to not have access to the vaccines as early as some others. Ultimately, we faired better than many.
3
0
25
@IntegralAnswers I remember reading your story when you wrote it. You all went through it, it was a sobering read. I hope for your sons (and your) full recovery with time.
1
0
22
@Underwoodpile All things considered he’s doing well. The tonsils may have to go unless we can figure out why they are always inflamed. Their size is interfering with his breathing and eating. I’m doing much better. In fact, in the past 3 months I’ve lost 13 kgs, put on 5 kgs of muscle.
2
0
42
@IntegralAnswers Probably the vax, mask, or ethylene oxide test you forced into the nasal phalanx
6
0
13
@teamhumanity108 You’re insane. Shall I call you insane? Did you read the thread? My son caught COVID. RAT and PCR Confirmed. As if that weren’t enough he also developed the classic radiographic signs of COVID pneumonia (ground glass appearance) and lost 4 family members to the delta wave.
5
1
39