Long COVID is a condition in which people continue to have more COVID-19 symptoms than usual after initially contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Other terms for long COVID include post-COVID COVID, post-acute COVID, long tail COVID and long distance COVID. People with long COVID may refer to themselves as long carriers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that some people may experience long-term effects of COVID-19, whether or not they need hospitalization. These long-term effects may include fatigue, respiratory symptoms and neurological symptoms.
This article will analyze the symptoms, possible causes, diagnosis and options for management and recovery after long COVID.
Long COVID refers to the time when people continue to show symptoms of COVID-19 and do not fully recover for a few weeks or months after the onset of their symptoms.
Some research suggests that people with mild cases of COVID-19 usually recover within 1-2 weeks of contracting the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. For severe cases of COVID-19, recovery may take 6 weeks or more.
Currently, researchers can define postacute COVID-19 as symptoms that extend beyond 3 weeks from onset and chronic COVID-19 as symptoms that extend beyond 12 weeks from onset.
Other researchers refer to long COVID as COVID-19 symptoms that last for more than 2 months.
A 2020 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that it could take weeks for COVID-19 symptoms to resolve and for people to return to their normal health. This also applies to young adults without chronic medical conditions.
In contrast, over 90% of people discharged from the hospital with the flu usually recover within 2 weeks.
Evidence suggests that many people may continue to experience COVID-19-related symptoms long after initial SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.
Although it is not yet clear how many people have experienced COVID for a long time, data from the COVID Symptom Study suggest that 1 in 10 people with the disease have symptoms for 3 weeks or more.
Data from the UK’s National Statistics Office found similar results, with about 1 in 10 respondents testing positive for COVID-19 showing symptoms lasting 12 weeks or more.
This means that there may be more than 5 million cases of long COVID worldwide.
A 2021 study found that more than three-quarters of COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Wuhan, China, still had at least one symptom 6 months after they were discharged from the hospital.
This is in line with a 2020 study in Italy, which found that 87.4% of patients with COVID-19 report having at least one symptom 2 months after their discharge from the hospital.
A Swiss study from 2020 also mentions that up to 1 in 3 people with milder cases of COVID-19 still had symptoms after 6 weeks.
Using a statistical model, a 2020 prepress study found that long COVID is more likely to occur in older adults, people with a higher body mass index (BMI), and women.
It also notes that people who have more than five symptoms in the first week of illness are more likely to develop long-term COVID.
Some evidence also suggests that many people with long COVID are health care workers.
The CDC notes a variety of symptoms for COVID-19. He also notes that the symptoms that people report most frequently during long COVID are:
- fatigue
- difficulty breathing
- cough
- joint pain
- chest pain
People can also experience:
- brain fog, in which it is more difficult for them to think clearly and concentrate
- depression
- muscle pain
- headache
- fever, which can come and go
- heart palpitations or the feeling that the heart is beating hard
People can also develop long-term complications that affect the organs. These complications are uncommon, but may include:
- inflammation of the heart muscle
- abnormal lung function
- severe kidney damage
- a rash
- Hair loss
- problems with smell and taste
- sleep problems
- memory and concentration difficulties
- anxiety
- changes to the provision
Researchers are not sure about the causes of prolonged recovery times from COVID-19, but some possible causes of long COVID may include:
- a reduction or lack of response from the immune system
- recurrence or reinfection of the virus
- inflammation or a reaction of the immune system
- a change in physical function due to bed rest or inactivity
- post traumatic stress
COVID-19 can cause long-term changes in the immune system, which can affect the organs. These changes, especially in the lungs, can take longer than the body needs to get rid of the virus.
If a person has been experiencing COVID for a long time, they may have been diagnosed with COVID-19 if they had access to a coronavirus test.
To diagnose long-term COVID, a doctor may take a complete medical history and evaluate all symptoms of COVID-19, from the onset of infection to the current symptoms. The doctor can check:
- blood pressure
- temperature
- heart rate and rhythm
- lung and respiratory function
Although there is no specific test to diagnose long-term COVID, doctors may perform tests to rule out any other possible causes of symptoms. Testing may vary depending on a person’s symptoms, but may involve blood tests to check:
- total blood count
- electrolytes
- renal function
- liver function
- troponin, to test for heart muscle damage
- levels of inflammation
- muscle injuries
- D-dimer, to check for blood clots
- heart health
- iron levels
Other tests may include:
- a chest x-ray
- a urine test
- an electrocardiogram to check for heart problems
Home remedies for long-term COVID management are likely to be similar to home treatments for COVID-19. Options include:
- taking over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, to relieve painful symptoms or fever
- resting and relaxing
- setting achievable goals to be achieved
- gradual increase in exercise levels, as appropriate
General health care is also important. These include:
- following a healthy diet
- getting quality sleep
- limiting alcohol consumption
- limiting caffeine intake
- I do not smoke
People may also find it useful to connect to a support network, especially if long-term COVID affects their mental health, financial security or social well-being.
Currently, there is no clear timeline for recovery after long COVID. Research reports that people may have symptoms 60-90 days after the initial infection, and some people may have more symptoms than that.
Viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 can also cause long-term symptoms. According to the British Heart Foundation, the duration of symptoms of other viruses suggests that long-term COVID symptoms can resolve within 3 months. People can continue to feel tired for up to 6 months.
However, these are approximate estimates, and recovery times may be different for each individual.
Due to the long history of COVID, researchers and healthcare professionals are still working to understand the causes, treatment options and possible recovery times.
People who have been experiencing COVID for a long time can seek medical advice.
However, a person needs medical help if he or she has any of the following:
- worsening breathing
- unexplained chest pain
- a new state of confusion
- weakness
- changes in vision, hearing or speech
If someone needs immediate medical attention, someone can call 911 and let them know that they have symptoms that may be related to COVID-19.
As more people discuss their experience with long-term COVID, some countries are beginning to offer more formal support. For example, a COVID recovery resource from the National Health Service (NHS) is available in the UK.
However, in the United States, informal support groups – such as Body Politic – are still the main source of help for people experiencing prolonged COVID symptoms.
Some people with COVID-19 symptoms may recover in a few weeks. However, recovery can take much longer for others.
Long COVID is the term for COVID-19 symptoms that continue for weeks or months after the initial infection.
People can discuss a treatment plan with a doctor. Taking steps to take care of their health and well-being – such as a healthy diet, plenty of rest and light exercise – can all help a person manage long-term COVID.
Medical treatment may be needed to treat any secondary infections or complications.