Long COVID and Therapeutic Plasma Exchange.

Long COVID — also called post-COVID syndrome, PASC (post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2), or long-haul COVID — is the clinical condition characterized by symptoms persisting at least 12 weeks after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and not explainable by an alternative diagnosis.

The WHO recognizes it with ICD-10 code U09.9. Affects 10-30 percent of people who had COVID-19, including mild cases.

TPE acts on Long COVID's central pathophysiological mechanisms: it removes autoantibodies generated by post-viral immune dysregulation, reduces persistent inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α, immune complexes), and clears plasma of proteins associated with microcoagulation and endothelial dysfunction.

Available evidence suggests TPE can modulate the autoimmune and inflammatory roots. Clinical use requires individual medical assessment.

Yes. Three publications define the state of the art: Achleitner et al. (Molecular Psychiatry 2023) reported significant symptomatic improvement in Long COVID patients with serial TPE.

Cunningham et al. — "The potential of plasma exchange in treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and long COVID" — analyzes the autoimmune and inflammatory mechanisms.

The work on "Plasma Exchange Improves Cognitive Function in Long-COVID-Related Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Autoimmune Neurological Dysfunction" documents measurable cognitive improvement in post-COVID POTS patients.

The individualized TPE protocol for Long COVID at Wellness Care typically ranges between 1 and 3 sessions, based on symptom profile, documented severity, autoimmune and inflammatory biomarkers, and clinical response between sessions.

The exact number is defined after the initial evaluation and adjusted to each patient's trajectory. Initial frequency is typically every 48–72 hours between sessions.

Yes. Wellness Care is the only longevity clinic in Colombia with dedicated Therapeutic Plasma Exchange equipment (Spectra Optia system, Terumo BCT). We evaluate Long COVID patients case by case to determine TPE appropriateness based on symptom profile, biomarkers, and comorbidities.

TPE cost in Colombia is a fraction of US or European costs while maintaining international clinical standards — making viable a treatment that in other jurisdictions remains out of reach for most Long COVID patients.

Literature suggests favorable modulation in: chronic post-viral fatigue, brain fog and cognitive decline, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), autonomic dysfunction, exercise intolerance (post-exertional malaise), persistent joint pain, non-restorative sleep, and autoimmune neurological manifestations.

Response magnitude varies by initial severity, time course, and documented autoimmune burden.

Long COVID and post-COVID syndrome are synonyms for the same condition — symptoms persisting more than 12 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a pre-pandemic clinical condition sharing central pathophysiological mechanisms with Long COVID: persistent post-infectious immune dysregulation, autoimmunity, autonomic dysfunction, and disabling fatigue. Literature evaluates TPE in both simultaneously.

TPE is a medical apheresis procedure with a robust safety profile when performed under certified protocol. Wellness Care uses the Spectra Optia (Terumo BCT) system, international standard, with continuous intra-procedure monitoring.

Prior evaluation includes cardiovascular profile, renal function, complete blood count, coagulation profile, and autoimmune and inflammatory status.

Yes. TPE in Long COVID is typically complementary to other strategies: tolerance-graded rehabilitation, nutritional management with mitochondrial emphasis, specific POTS support if present, cerebral nutraceuticals for brain fog, and microcoagulation approach when documented.

The protocol is designed based on individual profile and always under medical criteria.

Available literature reports subjective improvements in fatigue, mental clarity, and exercise tolerance within the first sessions in responding patients. Objective changes in autoimmune and inflammatory biomarkers are documented upon completing the initial cycle.

Follow-up at 3 and 6 months assesses response durability. Not all patients respond with the same magnitude — initial evaluation attempts to identify the profile with highest response probability.

The cost of a TPE session in Colombia typically ranges between USD 1,500 and 4,000, a fraction of US costs where clinics like Maximus or Lyfe Medical charge USD 8,000–15,000 per session.

Wellness Care does not publish standard pricing — indication is individualized per clinical evaluation and biomarkers. Initial consultation is complimentary.