Most people recover from COVID-19 within days or weeks, but some continue to experience symptoms for months or even years afterward. Known as Long COVID, this condition can affect anyone—including people who had mild infections—and may cause fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms that interfere with daily life. Researchers are still working to understand why some people develop Long COVID while others recover completely, but risk appears to be higher in people who had severe illness, underlying health conditions, or repeated infections. Although there is no single cure, treatments focused on symptom management, rehabilitation, and supportive care can help many people improve over time.  

For more information from the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/long-covid/resources/index.html

CDC Long COVID Information Center

In this episode of Beyond the Stethoscope, Arn Facklam, NP, FHM breaks down what Ebola really is, how it spreads, and why most people in the United States are at extremely low risk. He explains the symptoms, mortality rates, treatments, and the strict infection-control measures hospitals use to protect both patients and healthcare workers. The episode also separates fear from fact by addressing common misconceptions seen online and in the media. Most importantly, listeners will come away with a calm, practical understanding of what they actually need to know — without the medical jargon or sensationalism.

Sources Referenced / Background Material

• American Hospital Association (AHA) — Hospital operating margins, reimbursement pressures, rural hospital concerns.
• KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) — Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement trends, healthcare financing data, hospital access issues.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Medicare reimbursement structures and payment policy information.
• National Rural Health Association — Rural hospital closures and access-to-care concerns.
• American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) — Emergency department crowding, boarding, and staffing strain.

In this episode of Beyond the Stethoscope, we pull back the curtain on telehealth visits — what they do well, what they can miss, and when they may not be enough. From routine follow-ups and medication checks to subtle symptoms that can be impossible to fully evaluate through a screen, we explain the strengths and limitations of modern virtual healthcare in plain English. You’ll learn why some conditions are perfectly suited for telemedicine while others may require an in-person exam, testing, or immediate care. If you’ve ever wondered whether a video visit is truly the right choice for you or your loved one, this episode helps you understand the answer before the camera ever turns on.

Pain in the hospital is rarely as simple as people think. In this special episode of Beyond the Stethoscope, we pull back the curtain on the difficult realities of pain management — from acute injuries and chronic pain to the challenges of balancing relief, safety, and concerns about addiction. We also talk honestly about why some patients feel unheard, why pain plans sometimes change during hospitalization, and what patients and families can do to better advocate for themselves. If you or someone you love has ever wondered, “Why does it feel like nobody is listening to my pain?” — this episode is for you.

On this special edition of Beyond the Stethoscope, we take a closer look at Hantavirus — the rare but potentially deadly infection making headlines after reports tied to cruise ship travel and rodent exposure. What exactly is Hantavirus, how do people catch it, and should the average traveler actually be worried? In plain English, we break down the real risks, the symptoms to watch for, and the practical steps that can lower your chances of exposure while traveling or staying in unfamiliar places. As always, we pull back the curtain on the headlines so you can separate fear from facts and understand what’s really happening behind the scenes in healthcare.

In this episode of Beyond the Stethoscope, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the hit TV series The Pitt and ask the question healthcare workers and viewers alike are debating: just how realistic is it? From trauma resuscitations and overcrowded waiting rooms to emotional exhaustion and nonstop chaos, we compare what the show gets right — and where Hollywood still takes over. Drawing from decades of real-world ER, ICU, trauma, and transport medicine experience, Arn Facklam explains what life inside a busy emergency department actually feels like when the cameras are gone. If you’ve ever wondered whether modern medical dramas reflect reality or simply dramatize it, this episode pulls back the curtain.

In this episode of Beyond the Stethoscope, we tackle a question many patients ask: if you’re feeling better, why isn’t that enough to go straight home? You’ll learn what’s really happening beneath the surface after a hospitalization—and why strength, balance, and function often lag behind symptom improvement. We break down the critical role of rehab in preventing setbacks, reducing readmissions, and helping patients safely return to daily life. By the end, you’ll understand why rehab isn’t a setback—it’s the bridge between getting better and truly recovering.

Episode 20 of Beyond the Stethoscope pulls back the curtain on one of healthcare’s biggest frustrations—why a single hospital visit can cost thousands, even when “nothing serious” is found. It explains how hospitals don’t bill based on your final diagnosis, but on the level of risk and resources needed to rule out life-threatening conditions.  

You’ll hear how factors like 24/7 staffing, expensive diagnostics, administrative complexity, and separate facility and physician charges all stack the bill higher than most people expect.  

Most importantly, the episode helps you understand what you’re actually paying for—so the next bill feels less like a mystery and more like something you can navigate with confidence.

Sometimes it feels like getting a diagnosis takes forever—but there’s a reason for that. In this episode of Beyond the Stethoscope, we pull back the curtain on how clinicians think, rule things in and out, and why medicine often moves step by step instead of all at once. You’ll learn why tests don’t always give immediate answers, and how time itself can be part of the diagnostic process. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why can’t they just tell me what’s wrong?”—this episode finally connects the dots.