Long COVID: No Standardized Treatment, but Could Ozone Therapy Help?

The COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of people experiencing persistent, sometimes debilitating symptoms known asLong COVID. These symptoms can affect multiple organ systems and may include fatigue, shortness of breath, pain, cognitive difficulties, and reduced exercise tolerance.

The U.S. National Academies defines Long COVID as an infection-associated chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and persists for at least three months. Symptoms may be continuous, fluctuate over time, or emerge after an initial period of recovery.

Long COVID has multiple potential biological mechanisms, and no single treatment works for everyone. Current care focuses on evaluating symptoms, managing complications, and developing individualized treatment plans. Researchers are also investigating medications, nutritional interventions, and other therapies.

What Does the Research Say About Ozone Therapy?

Medical ozone therapy has been investigated as a complementary treatment for COVID-19 and, more recently, Long COVID.

A 2023 evidence review examined 13 clinical studies involving 271 patients with acute COVID-19. The authors reported improvements in some clinical symptoms, respiratory measures, and inflammatory markers. However, the studies varied in quality, and these findings do not establish ozone therapy as an effective treatment for Long COVID.

More directly relevant, a2024 pilot randomized controlled trialevaluated major ozone autohemotherapy in 73 people with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Participants received either ozone therapy alongside conventional care or conventional care alone. The ozone group showed greater improvements in symptom scores, selected lung-function measures, walking capacity, and certain inflammatory and coagulation markers. The authors emphasized that further research is needed to confirm these findings.

These preliminary results are encouraging, but larger, independent trials are needed to determine which patients might benefit, how durable any improvements may be, and how ozone therapy compares with other approaches. Ozone therapy is not an established standard treatment for Long COVID.

Long COVID Care at Valley Integrative Health

Valley Integrative Health in Ashland, Oregon, offers individualized assessment and integrative care for patients experiencing persistent symptoms following COVID-19.

Dr. Devin Wilson, ND, received certification in ozone and prolozone therapy from The American Academy of Ozone Therapy and was trained by Frank Shallenberger, MD, in 2012. Dr. Wilson has incorporated these approaches into his clinical practice since that time, emphasizing individualized care and consideration of potential benefits, limitations, and risks.

Major ozone autohemotherapy involves collecting blood, exposing it to a controlled oxygen–ozone mixture outside the body, and returning it to the patient. It is not the same as directly injecting ozone gas into a vein; direct intravenous injection of ozone gas should not be performed. As with any procedure, potential risks and uncertain benefits should be discussed before treatment.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice. Evidence for ozone therapy varies by indication and administration method, and many proposed benefits require further clinical investigation. Ozone must never be inhaled, as it can cause serious lung injury. Direct intravenous injection of ozone gas is unsafe and should not be performed. Patients should discuss potential benefits, risks, and alternatives with a qualified healthcare professional.

References

1. A pilot randomized controlled trial of major ozone autohemotherapy for patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. International Immunopharmacology. 2024.
2. Clinical effectiveness of medical ozone therapy in COVID-19: The evidence and gaps map. Medical Gas Research. 2023.
3. The role of ozone therapy in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. Medical Gas Research. 2023.
4. Ozone therapy in patients with COVID-19: Clinical research indexed in PubMed.