MISSOULA, Mont. (KECI) – Months after contracting COVID-19, a 13-year-old boy from Montana is considered a “long-distance traveler” as he continues to show symptoms of the disease, including heart problems, muscle weakness and difficulty breathing.
It was months of agony for Hudson Beard, 13, who contracted COVID-19 in November. He has not been to school since then and continues to show symptoms, many of them severe, due to the disease.
“It’s difficult,” said Hudson. “It’s very difficult when doctors don’t have an answer and they say, ‘Well, in time, we’ll see what happens and you can improve. We do not know. ‘”
In December, doctors diagnosed Hudson with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a disorder that causes his heart rate to skip when he stands. He gets dizziness-like dizziness every time he gets up or does basic chores like reading or watching television.
Since then, his symptoms have only gotten more serious, sending him to a hospital in Colorado for new problems discovered in his heart.
“My coronary arteries are dilated, both,” said Hudson.
“Your heart, we haven’t understood this for two months,” said Lisa Beard, Hudson’s mother. “So, now we are dealing with a coronary problem that we don’t know if it will solve.”
Hudson also has new problems with breathing, continuous migraines, gastrointestinal problems and problems with the left side of his body, as if he had suffered a stroke.
“He has a lot of muscle weakness and there was a lot of atrophy all over the left side,” said Beard. “So, rehab is the same as if he had had a stroke.”
Hudson now has a dedicated team of doctors and specialists supporting him and his family on their journey, but they are still desperate for answers and a cure.
“I was wondering why I have all these symptoms and a new one comes up every two weeks and why no doctor can explain it,” said Hudson.
Hudson has a new pet turtle that helps him pass the time during the days, in addition to listening to audio books. Until more answers come, your days will continue to include doctor’s appointments and exams, while your parents do what they can to put you on the road to recovery.
“A lot of people don’t really understand how dramatic the effects of COVID are on children,” said Beard. “We often want to protect the most vulnerable, the youngest under the age of 1 and the elderly, but Hudson was a prosperous and very active 13-year-old boy and the rest of my family has recovered, and he has not recovered.”
Doctors say there is much more heart involvement in people who took COVID-19 than they initially thought. One study used cardiac magnetic resonances in 100 patients recovering from the virus, showing cardiac involvement in 78 of the patients and myocardial inflammation in 60.
If you have had COVID-19 and are experiencing chest pain or palpitations, it is a good idea to call your doctor.
For children who have already taken COVID-19, even without severe symptoms, doctors recommend screening before returning to physical exercise or sports.
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