Personalised Support for
Long COVID &
Post-Viral Syndromes
At the Autoimmune Clinic, we support clients navigating complex, post-viral illness including Long COVID
WE LOOK BEYOND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT TO UNDERSTAND HOW INFECTIONS CAN TRIGGER CHRONIC FATIGUE, AUTOIMMUNITY, AND INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS SUCH AS CIRS.
Our functional medicine approach is designed to help uncover the hidden drivers of symptoms and support your body’s recovery through tailored, whole-person care. Whether you’ve been living with Long COVID for months or are newly navigating a post-viral syndrome, our personalised support is designed to help you regain control over your health.
What Is Long COVID?
Long COVID, also referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), describes a range of symptoms that continue for weeks or months beyond the initial illness. For some individuals, these symptoms may only be mildly disruptive. For others, they are profoundly disabling and affect every aspect of life — from energy and cognition to mood, digestion, and immunity.
What makes Long COVID particularly challenging is the unpredictability and variability of symptoms. Even simple activities like walking, reading, or social interaction can result in significant symptom flares.
Common symptoms include:
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Debilitating fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM)
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Brain fog, memory lapses, and reduced concentration
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Breathlessness, chest tightness, or cough
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Heart palpitations and dizziness, often worse on standing (POTS-like symptoms)
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Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or non-restorative sleep
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Anxiety, depression, and mood fluctuations
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Sensory changes (e.g., smell, taste, vision)
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New or worsened allergies or sensitivities
Many clients describe their system as being "stuck in overdrive" — reactive to foods, stress, noise, and environmental exposures that never previously caused issues.
Long COVID & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The overlap between Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is significant, with both conditions often reflecting a similar pattern of multisystem dysfunction. While Long COVID is new to the clinical landscape, ME/CFS has long been recognised as a post-viral condition triggered by various infectious agents — including Epstein-Barr virus, enteroviruses, and now SARS-CoV-2.
Both conditions involve:
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Exertion intolerance – even minimal activity (physical, cognitive, or emotional) can trigger a "crash" known as post-exertional malaise, where symptoms worsen for days after the trigger
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Neuroinflammation – driven by microglial activation and elevated cytokines in the brain, contributing to brain fog, anxiety, poor stress tolerance, and impaired memory or word-finding
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Sleep disturbance – including unrefreshing sleep, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or vivid dreams that leave individuals feeling drained upon waking
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Mitochondrial dysfunction – reduced cellular energy production due to oxidative stress and impaired ATP generation, often contributing to muscle weakness and deep fatigue
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Immune system dysregulation – including low-grade chronic inflammation, autoantibody production, or signs of latent virus reactivation (EBV, HHV-6)
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Autonomic nervous system imbalance – presenting as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), blood pressure instability, poor thermoregulation, or gastrointestinal dysmotility
These shared features mean that many of our clients with Long COVID would meet diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. This is why our clinical protocols draw from established ME/CFS research, while also addressing the unique virological and inflammatory features of Long COVID.
In many cases, we also consider the possibility of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), especially where there is a history of mould exposure, water-damaged buildings, or other biotoxin-related factors.
CIRS shares considerable symptom overlap with both ME/CFS and Long COVID, including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and extreme reactivity. Identifying and addressing this layer can be a turning point in recovery.
Can Long COVID trigger Autoimmunity?
There is growing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can act as a trigger for autoimmune disease. The immune system may produce antibodies against the virus that also mistakenly target healthy tissues, a mechanism known as molecular mimicry.
In individuals with a genetic predisposition, this can initiate or accelerate autoimmune conditions such as:
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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
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Coeliac disease
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Lupus
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Psoriasis
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Rheumatoid arthritis
In others, autoimmune markers may rise without a formal diagnosis. Common signs of autoimmunity post-COVID include:
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New onset of joint pain or stiffness
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Hair loss or skin changes
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Ongoing fatigue and inflammation
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Fluctuating thyroid levels
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Worsening of pre-existing autoimmune disease
In some cases, symptoms of autoimmune activity may be subtle or intermittent, and missed by standard tests. We often see early patterns of immune dysregulation — such as rising thyroid antibodies or low-grade inflammation — long before a formal diagnosis is reached.
Our role is to identify these early signs of autoimmune activation and implement strategies to modulate the immune response before it causes further damage.
This includes:
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Supporting regulatory T-cell activity and immune balance
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Identifying and removing environmental or dietary triggers
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Calming neuroimmune activation through nervous system support
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Supporting mitochondrial and gut health to reduce systemic inflammation
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Screening for co-triggers such as mould, viruses, or intestinal permeability
By intervening early and holistically, we aim to slow or reverse autoimmune progression, and help clients build resilience in the face of ongoing immune challenges.
Long COVID and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
A significant number of individuals with Long COVID experience symptoms consistent with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, along with the inflammatory response following infection, can be a powerful trigger for mast cells. When mast cells become overly reactive, they release excessive amounts of histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other mediators that drive widespread inflammation and hypersensitivity.
In many cases, individuals had more subtle or intermittent signs of mast cell dysregulation long before they contracted COVID. These signs are often overlooked or considered normal, such as eczema, asthma, occasional flushing, unexplained rashes, mild food sensitivities, sinus issues, or reactions to alcohol or temperature changes.
COVID then acts as a major physiological stressor that pushes an already vulnerable system into a more overt and persistent MCAS picture.
This can lead to symptoms such as:
• Heightened food, supplement, or chemical sensitivities
• Flushing, hives, rashes, or temperature intolerance
• Gastrointestinal discomfort, reflux, bloating, or diarrhoea
• Breathlessness, throat tightness, or chest discomfort
• Brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, or sleep disturbance
In the context of Long COVID, MCAS often sits within a wider pattern of immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation. Many clients describe feeling as though their system is “stuck in overdrive”, reacting to triggers that never previously caused issues. Addressing MCAS early is essential because it can perpetuate gut inflammation, impair nutrient absorption, worsen autonomic dysfunction, and limit tolerance of supplements or medications that are needed in recovery.
Our approach includes mast cell stabilisation, dietary support, environmental assessment, and targeted nervous system support, always tailored to an individual's sensitivity and overall clinical picture.
Long COVID, the Spike Protein, and Immune Reactivity
For some individuals, persistent symptoms after COVID reflect an ongoing immune response to the viral spike protein.
SARS-CoV-2 leaves behind immunological footprints in the body, and in certain people these can contribute to chronic symptoms even after the infection has cleared.
The spike protein can:
• Activate mast cells and microglial cells
• Impair mitochondrial function and energy production
• Increase oxidative stress and inflammatory signalling
• Disrupt the endothelial lining, influencing circulation and autonomic stability
• Contribute to autoantibody formation in genetically predisposed individuals
In some cases, individuals experience a similar pattern of symptoms after COVID vaccination. While vaccines have been lifesaving, a subset of the population with underlying immune dysregulation or genetic susceptibility may experience the spike protein as an additional stressor. This can amplify fatigue, neurological symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms (such as palpitations or postural intolerance), or autoimmune activity.
The Link Between Long COVID and CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)?
CIRS is a condition caused by a faulty immune response to biotoxins such as mould, Lyme, or viruses. It results in ongoing systemic inflammation and multisystem symptoms, many of which mirror Long COVID. In fact, some individuals previously diagnosed with Long COVID may actually be experiencing undiagnosed CIRS.
CIRS and Long COVID may both involve:
Chronic fatigue
Brain fog and executive dysfunction
Increased reactivity to food, supplements, and medications
Difficulty detoxifying or tolerating binders
Unexplained inflammation, hormonal disruption, or sinus issues
We offer Shoemaker Protocol screening (including HLA genetics, MARCoNS, VCS testing, and inflammatory markers) for clients where CIRS is suspected. Identifying CIRS early can drastically improve the direction and outcomes of care.
Conditions Often Associated with Long COVID
Because Long COVID can destabilise the immune and nervous systems, we often see a constellation of coexisting issues:
What about Vaccine Injuries?
While vaccines have played a critical role in controlling infectious diseases, some individuals report new or worsened symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination. In many of these cases, the immune system’s response to the spike proteinappears to be a key factor.
For those with underlying immune dysregulation such as MCAS, CIRS, or other immune imbalance, the spike protein can act as an additional inflammatory or immunological stressor.
Reported responses may include:
• New-onset fatigue or worsening of existing fatigue
• Neurological symptoms such as tingling, brain fog, or dizziness
• Worsening of autoimmune or inflammatory markers
• Cardiovascular symptoms like palpitations or chest tightness
• Heightened sensitivity to food, chemicals, or supplements
In our practice, we do not take a one-size-fits-all view. We recognise that for many individuals vaccines are well tolerated, yet for some the spike protein can overwhelm an already dysregulated immune system. This may amplify mast cell activity, trigger latent viral reactivation, strain mitochondrial function, or contribute to a flare in autoimmune symptoms.
We support clients experiencing post-vaccine complications by assessing for underlying triggers and exploring mechanisms such as mast cell activation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, spike-protein-related immune activation, and environmental exposures such as mould.
Support focuses on immune modulation, detoxification support, nervous system regulation, and restoring resilience, always using a holistic and evidence-based approach tailored to the individual.
Our approach to supporting individuals with Long COVID
Our team of experienced functional medicine practitioners takes a root-cause approach to Long COVID and related syndromes.
We work with you to:
✔️ Identify your possible root causes
This includes exploring viral reactivation, mycotoxin exposure, environmental triggers, underlying infections, and genetic predispositions.
✔️ Personalise your nutrition plan
We guide you through a tailored diet to reduce symptom severity while ensuring optimal nutrient intake.
✔️ Regulate immune and inflammatory pathways
Using herbs, supplements, lifestyle changes, and where needed, referrals for immunological assessment. We also provide mast cell stabilisation and anti-inflammatory support.
✔️ Regulate your nervous system
Our approach includes vagus nerve support, breathwork, limbic system retraining, and trauma-informed tools to help calm an overactive stress response.
✔️ Support detoxification and resilience
We support liver and gut pathways for safe toxin clearance and help you build tolerance to food, supplements, and everyday exposures through a gentle and personalised plan.
If you’re struggling with Long COVID, post-viral fatigue, or any of the related conditions above, you are not alone. Our clinic specialises in supporting clients with complex, multisystem illness using a compassionate and scientifically-grounded approach.
How we work
*Alternatively, you’re welcome to email our reception team if you’d like more information about our packages, pricing and availability.
Meet Muriel & Claire,
your expert practitioners
Our practitioners are BANT registered nutritional therapists and functional medicine practitioners, with a real passion to help others achieve optimal health.
You can read more about Muriel and Claire on our Meet the Team page.