A new study by Cardiff University in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire has revealed the huge "secondary burden" placed on those closest.
An Essex mum diagnosed with long Covid says the illness has had a “tragic effect” on her family’s life. Billie-Jo Redman, 27, suffers from fatigue, brain fog and daily waves of pins and needles due to the disease. She has also been forced to wear a heart monitor 24-hours a day because she frequently has a high heart rate. “My life feels like it’s over,” she said. “The hospital just doesn’t know what to do with me. “They can see my heart rate is way too high, but they don’t know why.
Billie-Jo with her son, Roman
Billie-Jo Redman with her son Roman
Redman, who previously had no health issues, moved from London to Essex before the first lockdown so has little family support nearby. The 27-year-old feels her illness has had a huge impact on her son. “It’s had a tragic effect on our daily lives,” she said. “There needs to be more support for families.”
A survey of more than 700 Covid-19 survivors along with their partners and close relatives revealed the biggest impact on families was “feeling worried” – which impacted 94% of respondents.
Other areas of life impacted included: family activities (83%), feelings of frustration (82%), feeling sad (78%), sleep (69%) and sex life (68%). Two-thirds (66%) reported impact on holidays, and more than half (56%) reported an increase in family expenses.