Chief health office Dr John Gerrard slammed over calls to scrap term ‘long Covid’

Queensland’s chief health officer Dr John Gerrard has been accused of medical gaslighting over recent, controversial comments.

Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrard has come under fire for suggesting the term long Covid should be scrapped. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Queensland’s chief health officer has been accused of “medical gaslighting” following his comments on long Covid.

Dr John Gerrard issued a statement that said the name “long Covid” implied the long-term viral symptoms were unique and exceptional to other viral infections and that the name should be scrapped as it stirred up unnecessary fear.

Melissa Austin, who is a member of a 4700-strong Australia Long Covid Group, has slammed Dr Gerrard and told The Courier-Mail that long Covid left her struggling for a whole year with terrifying symptoms that were fobbed off by medics as anxiety.

“The message comes from the top. Why would healthcare staff in Queensland take patients seriously when the leading doctor diminishes the very real condition that is impacting more and more people?” Ms Austin, 47, from Eukey, in the Southern Downs, said.

Long Covid sufferer Melissa Austin. Picture: Kirsty Fikkers Photography.

“I felt like my nervous system was constantly being eaten away by ants. My brain would seize and I would have no idea where I was in my own home. I’d get on a bus and would be sitting there clueless as to where I was going or why. It was so frightening,” she said.

“I would have such severe chest pain I’d end up in the emergency department multiple times to be told they could find nothing wrong. I literally felt I was going mad and was totally alone.”

Dr Gerrard’s comments made headlines internationally and garnered opposition from medical experts. His statement was related to new research, from his own team, that found there were similar ongoing symptoms with other viral infections.

“I don’t deny that long Covid has commonalities with other post viral illnesses but it is crucial that it is labelled for the purpose of patient validation and pathways to treatment,” Ms Austin said.

Dr John Gerrard acknowledged that long Covid symptoms are real and can cause significant distress to those affected. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Dr Gerrard emphasised to The Courier-Mail that he acknowledged that the symptoms are real and can cause significant distress to those affected.

“However, the research suggests the types of longer-term symptoms and complications after Covid-19 are not unique or exceptional to the virus,” he said.

“It is now very difficult to determine whether a particular symptom complex is in fact related to Covid with the virus widespread in the community,” Dr Gerrard said.

“I believe the specific term ‘long Covid’ is confusing and it is better to refer to the specific syndrome that affects an individual patient,” he said.

Ms Austin had no health problems before she contracted Covid in 2022. Symptoms were mild for the first week with gastro but a week later the virus was full blown. She was unable to continue her academic studies.

“Physically I feel better but mentally I am still scarred from the experience and I live in fear of getting Covid again as I just couldn’t face reliving that nightmare. Covid is certainly not over for me or for many of the people still suffering. I managed to graduate and do well but life has changed for ever” Ms Austin said.

Micquette Abercrombie from the Australia Long Covid Community said that hundreds of the group’s members are Queenslanders.

“The level of anger and astonishment after the CHO’s message was huge. One of the biggest problems facing members is being taken seriously by the medical community. They need to be believed and treatment developed,” she said.

Gary Macpherson, then 62, of Newstead, just after leaving his six-week stint in ICU with Covid. He is now a long Covid sufferer.

Gary Macpherson from Hamilton, keeled over in the emergency department of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in 2020 — he had contracted Covid.

That was the start of a health nightmare for Mr Macpherson. He landed in ICU for six weeks. Four years later he still suffers from lingering health problems sparked by the virus.

He too has slammed the CHO for his comment that the phrase “long Covid” sparked unnecessary fear.

“I don’t have long Covid. I have Covid for life. It is very real. While I am not as debilitated as I was I still only have only 80 per cent lung function and kidney problems. I don’t have any buffer if I get sick again,” he said.