New Program for COVID “Long Haulers”

January 3, 2021 / Charles W. Lapp, MD / News

At least 10% of persons who contract COVID-19 suffer with prolonged symptoms. Such individuals have been called “Long Haulers.” Their symptoms are very similar to those of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Since it is widely believed that early treatment is beneficial in ME/CFS, we are encouraging such post-COVID Long Haulers to seek care early with a specialist.

Toward that end, Hunter-Hopkins Center has just embarked on a program to treat Long Haulers with Ampligen / rintatolimod, a Toll-like Receptor 3 agonist and immumodulatory drug. This program is part of the existing AMP-511 open label clinical trial and will study the effects of Ampligen with regard to safety and activity in patients with Long Haulers. AMP-511 study details posted on ClinicalTrial.gov can be viewed HERE. The study is sponsored by AIM Immunotech, makers of Ampligen.

Prospective Long Haulers may contact Wendy Springs CCRP, our research coordinator, for more details (704 543 9692).

Ampligen, COVID, Long Haulers, ME/CFS, rintatolimod

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Dr. Hillman was born and reared in Utica, New York. He attended college at Clarkson University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and then spent two years toward a master’s degree in biochemistry/oncology at the University of Buffalo’s Roswell Park Division, where he did research in leukemia. Dr. Hillman attended St. George’s University School of Medicine, and completed his clinical years at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, graduating in 1996. During the Summer of 1994 he also did research at the University of Buffalo Dental School using PCR technology on RNA subtyping of gram negative oral bacteria. Following medical school, Hillman went on to a Family Practice Residency at North Shore / Long Island Jewish Hospital in Bay Shore, NY.

After his residency, Dr. Hillman worked for the US Army at the West Point Military Academy (Keller Army Hospital family practice unit), worked in the Emergency Room and hospital admitting areas, and ran a private practice as well. From 2005-2006 he also worked at the Winn Army Hospital at Fort Stewart, GA, before setting up a private Family Practice in Huntersville, NC in 2007. In addition to his private practice Dr. Hillman also has an interest in helping clients with disabilities. He has worked for ProMed Urgent Care in Occupational Medicine and performed over 13,000 examinations for Social Security Disability.

Dr. Hillman has a family member with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so he has a long standing interest and empathy with the disorder! He is married and has two sons and a daughter. The family lives in Huntersville.