Long COVID fatigue, mitochondrial damage long COVID, immune system long COVID, monocyte dysfunction, long COVID and chest pain, post-COVID heart symptoms
“Doctor, why am I still feeling breathless, tired and foggy months after COVID?”
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone and thankfully, scientists are starting to understand why.
One recent study, led by a team of researchers and published in a respected science journal (International Journal of Molecular Sciences), takes a closer look at what’s happening in the body of people with Long COVID especially those with ongoing chest pain, breathlessness or fatigue.
What’s going on in Long COVID?
Your immune system is made up of many different cells, like tiny guards. One type is called monocytes they patrol your body, helping you fight infections and clean up inflammation.
But in people with Long COVID, these monocytes are behaving strangely.
Scientists found that monocytes in Long COVID patients are tired and struggling, even months after the original infection. Why? The answer lies in the mitochondria—the tiny energy factories inside our cells.
Mitochondria: Your Cells’ Power Stations
Imagine each of your cells is a little town. The mitochondria are the power plants that keep everything running.
In people with Long COVID, the mitochondria inside their monocytes seem damaged and drained. When scientists looked closely, they found:
- The mitochondria weren’t producing energy properly
- They didn’t respond normally to stress
- Some had damage in their DNA (the instruction manual cells use to function)
- The cells had trouble cleaning up waste properly (normally done with the help of something called “proton leak” yes, that’s a real term!)
What does this mean for you?
If your immune cells are using dodgy power plants and can’t respond properly to stress, then you might:
- Feel tired even after a good night’s sleep
- Struggle with breathlessness or chest pain, even if your heart checks out fine
- Have trouble bouncing back after exertion (that horrible crash after activity some call post exertional malaise)
- Experience ongoing inflammation, which could affect your heart, muscles, or brain
And importantly this isn’t just anxiety or deconditioning. It’s real, physical damage happening inside your cells. Your body is genuinely trying to function on faulty batteries.
Why is this study important?
This research helps to explain why so many people with Long COVID are experiencing real symptoms, long after their infection has “cleared.”
It also shows:
- The problem is cellular, not just psychological
- Long COVID is not “in your head” your immune cells are acting differently
- We need to treat and support the body’s energy systems, not just wait for people to “get over it”
So, what can be done?
Right now, there’s no magic pill but understanding the problem is step one. The more we learn about how Long COVID affects mitochondria and the immune system, the closer we get to treatments that target the root causes, not just the symptoms.
In the meantime, pacing your energy (like the Spoon Theory suggests), gentle movement (when possible), and focusing on rest and nutrition may help support your body as it heals.
Final Thoughts
If you’re living with Long COVID and feel like your body’s “running on empty,” this new research confirms: it really is. Your cells are working with damaged energy systems, and they need time and hopefully future treatments to recover.
Long Covid Journey 