The signs and symptoms of Long COVID

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

The pandemic seems like a lifetime ago to many of us. However, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, continues to circulate, mutate, and infect people. While most who contract the virus make a full recovery, for a growing number, a mysterious set of symptoms persists with varying severity. Long COVID is an umbrella term, rather than an illness, that describes this wide-ranging list of health issues.

Intrigued? Click on to learn about the signs and symptoms of Long COVID.

The enduring effect of the pandemic

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

The pandemic might be a distant memory, but there's a silent reminder of it that remains: a condition known as Long COVID.

Detection

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

Detecting, diagnosing, and treating Long COVID is not straightforward. The condition affects people from all walks of life, but there is large variation in how it presents itself.

The fallout of infection

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

Those who experienced severe COVID-19 infection are at a higher risk of developing Long COVID, but anyone infected with the virus can suffer from the condition.

Reinfection

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

Reinfection with the virus can happen multiple times. Each time a person is reinfected, it increases their risk of developing Long COVID. 

Persistent symptoms

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

Most people who get infected with COVID-19 recover within a period of days and weeks. When symptoms of the virus persist four weeks later, Long COVID can first be identified.

Testing

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There isn't a specific test that can determine whether or not the symptoms you're experiencing are Long COVID. The condition is not one illness.

Symptoms

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

People who suffer from the condition commonly report a sense of tiredness or fatigue that is overwhelming and interferes with daily life.

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

A worsening of this symptom after physical or mental exertion—"post-exertional malaise"—and a fever might also be present.

Neurological symptoms

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

Neurological symptoms such as changes to smell or taste, headaches, brain fog, sleep problems, pins and needles, dizziness upon standing, and depression or anxiety might also indicate Long COVID.

Not an exhaustive list

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

These are the most common symptoms, however the list is not exhaustive. More than 200 symptoms have been linked to Long COVID.

Health conditions

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

Multi-organ effects and autoimmune conditions and their symptoms can also result from COVID-19. These conditions are more likely if you suffered a severe infection. 

At-risk groups

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Much research has focused on understanding why certain groups are more at risk than others of suffering from Long COVID.

Inequalities might increase the risk

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

Some people are more at-risk due to where they live or work, or due to health inequalities associated with certain racial or ethnic minority groups.

Prevention

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

You can do this by washing your hands regularly or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and avoiding close contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

The enduring effect of the pandemic, Detection, The fallout of infection, Reinfection, Persistent symptoms, Symptoms, Neurological symptoms, Not an exhaustive list, Health conditions, At-risk groups, Inequalities might increase the risk, Prevention

Although not as common an occurrence, unfortunately Long COVID does sometimes affect young children and adolescents as well.

Studies

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However, in one study, a third of people affected by it at six months post-infection, no longer met the threshold at the nine-month mark. 

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