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AHN Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Clinic

We’ve moved into a new phase of our ongoing battle with COVID-19. While there are fewer hospitalizations and deaths, we’re seeing more long-term effects.

Millions of people have contracted COVID-19 — some more than once. Long-term complications, often referred to as “long-haul COVID-19,” are becoming more common. AHN has established a Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Clinic to help tackle these issues with a multispecialty approach.

About the AHN Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Clinic

Led by AHN's Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care — and based out of the Breathing Disorders Center at the AHN McCandless Hospital — the Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Clinic connects patients to clinicians who can diagnose symptoms, develop personalized treatment plans, and ease their concerns.

COVID-19 long-hauler symptoms

The long-term effects of Coronavirus are different for everyone. They can present physically, mentally, or emotionally. Regardless of how you may be feeling, AHN can help you find solutions.

Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

  • Heart inflammation and other cardiovascular issues.
  • Lung or respiratory problems, including shortness of breath or scarred lung tissue.
  • Vascular disease.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Headaches.
  • Brain fog or memory loss.
  • Depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Ongoing loss of smell or taste.

AHN Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Clinic: Why choose us?

The clinic formed in April 2021. We’re continuing to improve our understanding and treatment options on a daily basis to deliver the best possible care.

  • Integrated team: No two patients are the same, which is why we need a comprehensive care team to treat any and all symptoms. Depending on the need, our pulmonary specialists can refer and collaborate with cardiology, family medicine, behavioral health, and neurology.
  • Navigation Support: Finding a path to care can be complicated. That’s why each patient has access to the clinic nurses to help manage treatment plans and answer questions along the way.
  • Ongoing research and development: The AHN Research Institute is actively engaged in assessing and analyzing data collected from this clinic. As we see more patients, we'll be able to better formulate treatment plans and long-term care for patients.
  • Care throughout the community: While the clinic is based out of the Breathing Disorders Center at AHN McCandless Hospital, it’s available to patients throughout the region, with participating clinicians providing care at Allegheny General, Allegheny Valley, Jefferson, Grove City and Saint Vincent hospitals. The clinic also offers virtual care and in-person appointments.

Our team

To best serve our patients, the clinic is managed by experts in pulmonary disease.

Briana E DiSilvio, MD
Briana E DiSilvio, MD
Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Co-Director
Dr. DiSilvio is a specialist in pulmonary and critical care, treating patients with chronic lung conditions, pleural disease, respiratory infections, and other breathing disorders. She has a clinical interest in interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and sarcoidosis. She has experience in flexible bronchoscopy, transbronchial lung biopsy, endobronchial ultrasound, and airway management. Dr. DiSilvio improves her patients’ health and well-being through compassionate delivery of high-quality care. Dr. DiSilvio is the associate program director of the Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship program at Allegheny General Hospital. Dr. DiSilvio received a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in the Commonwealth of Dominica. She completed a three-year residency followed by a one-year chief residency in internal medicine at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She pursued further training with a three-year fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Allegheny General Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine for internal medicine and pulmonary disease. She is also a member of the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians. Dr. DiSilvio speaks English and Spanish.
Tariq J Cheema, MD
Tariq J Cheema, MD
Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Co-Director
Tariq J Cheema, MD Dr. Cheema is director of the AHN Breathing Disorder Center. A specialist in pulmonary, critical care, and neurocritical care, he treats patients with COPD, interstitial lung diseases, and sarcoidosis. He also performs EBUS/navigational bronchoscopy. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Drexel University School of Medicine, System Division Chief, AHN Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy, Vice President and Medical Director of ASRI. Dr. Cheema received his medical degree from Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and completed residencies at Wheeling Hospital, West Virginia, and Allegheny General Hospital-West Penn Hospital Medical Education Consortium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His fellowship in pulmonary disease and critical care was also at Allegheny General Hospital-West Penn Hospital Medical Education Consortium. He also earned a Master of Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine for Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine. He was voted a Top Doctor in Pennsylvania in 2019. He speaks English.

Clinic specialists

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question about the long-term effects of COVID-19, take a look at the FAQs below or call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to schedule an appointment.

I keep hearing the term COVID-19 "long-hauler." What does that mean?

A long-hauler is anyone who was diagnosed with Coronavirus and continues to experience symptoms in the months following the initial diagnosis. Symptoms could include everything from headaches to breathing problems to anxiety.

Can anyone who had Coronavirus experience long-term effects?

Unfortunately, yes. Anyone who was diagnosed with Coronavirus, regardless of the person’s age, gender, or race, could experience long-term side effects.

Are the long-term effects only physical?

No. While many symptoms are physical, the emotional and mental toll of Coronavirus can be just as damaging. In addition to addressing your respiratory symptoms, we can refer and collaborate with behavioral health specialists.

Is there a cure for people with long-term effects?

Coronavirus affects each person differently, and the more people we see, the more we learn about these long-term health concerns. While many symptoms can be treated through therapies and medications, others may take some time to fully understand and manage. 

Contact us

The AHN Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Clinic continues to accept new patients. Call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 or request an appointment to meet with our care team.

Coronavirus Resources

If you’re looking for additional information on Coronavirus — from booking your vaccine to knowing the symptoms — AHN has you covered.

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Source: “Sequelae in Adults at 6 Months After COVID-19 Infection”