Long COVID is a condition in which people continue to experience COVID-19 symptoms for longer than normal after initially contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Other terms for long COVID are post-COVID, post-acute COVID, long-tail COVID, and long-range COVID. People with a long COVID can call themselves long carriers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that some people can experience long-term effects from COVID-19, whether they need to be hospitalized or not. These long-term effects can include fatigue, respiratory symptoms and neurological symptoms.
This article will discuss symptoms, possible causes, diagnosis, and options for dealing with and recovering from long-term COVID.
Long COVID refers to when people continue to experience symptoms of COVID-19 and do not fully recover for several weeks or months after their symptoms start.
Some research suggests that people with mild cases of COVID-19 usually recover within 1-2 weeks of contracting the first SARS-CoV-2 infection. In severe cases of COVID-19, recovery can take 6 weeks or more.
Currently, researchers can define post-acute COVID-19 as symptoms that last more than 3 weeks since onset and chronic COVID-19 as symptoms that last longer than 12 weeks since onset.
Other researchers have long referred to COVID as COVID-19 symptoms that last longer than 2 months.
A 2020 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests it may take weeks for COVID-19 symptoms to clear and people return to their normal health status. This includes young adults without any chronic medical conditions.
In contrast, more than 90% of people discharged from the hospital with the flu usually recover within 2 weeks.
Growing evidence suggests that many people may continue to experience symptoms related to COVID-19 long after their initial infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
While it is still unclear how many people have experienced COVID for a long time, data from the COVID Symptom Study app suggests that 1 in 10 people with the disease will experience symptoms for 3 weeks or more.
Data from the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics found similar results: About 1 in 10 respondents who tested positive for COVID-19 showed symptoms that persisted for a period of 12 weeks or more.
This means there could be more than 5 million cases of long-term COVID around the world.
A 2021 study found that more than three-quarters of COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Wuhan, China, still had at least one symptom six months after discharge from the hospital.
This is in line with a 2020 study from Italy that found that 87.4% of COVID-19 patients report experiencing at least one symptom 2 months after discharge from the hospital.
A 2020 Swiss study also notes that as many as 1 in 3 people with milder cases of COVID-19 were still experiencing symptoms after 6 weeks.
Using a statistical model, a preprint 2020 study found that long COVID is more common in older adults, those with a higher body mass index (BMI), and women.
It also notes that individuals who experience more than five symptoms during the first week of the illness are more likely to have long-term COVID.
There is also some evidence that many people with long-term COVID are health professionals.
The CDC notes a variety of symptoms for COVID-19. They also note that the symptoms people most often report during long COVID include:
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- cough
- joint pain
- chestpain
People can also experience:
- brain fog, in which they find it more difficult to think clearly and concentrate
- depression
- muscle strain
- headache
- fever, which can come and go
- palpitations, or a feeling of a pounding heart
People can also develop long-term complications that affect the organs. These complications are less common but can include:
- inflammation of the heart muscle
- abnormal lung function
- severe kidney injury
- rash
- hair loss
- problems with smell and taste
- sleep problems
- memory and concentration problems
- anxiety
- mood swings
Researchers aren’t sure what causes extended COVID-19 recovery times, but some possible causes of long COVID could include:
- a reduced or no response of the immune system
- relapse or reinfection of the virus
- inflammation or an immune system response
- a change in physical functions due to bed rest or inactivity
- post-traumatic stress
COVID-19 can cause long-lasting changes in the immune system, which can affect organs. These changes, especially in the lungs, can take longer than the time it takes for the body to clear the virus.
If a person is going through a long-term COVID, they may have received a COVID-19 diagnosis if they had access to a coronavirus test.
To make a long-term COVID diagnosis, a doctor can take a complete medical history and assess all COVID-19 symptoms, from the onset of infection to current symptoms. The doctor can check:
- blood pressure
- temperature
- heart rate and rhythm
- lung and respiratory function
While there is no specific test to diagnose long COVID, doctors can run tests to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. Testing can vary depending on the symptoms a person has, but it can also include blood tests to check:
- complete blood count
- electrolytes
- kidney function
- liver function
- troponin, to test for damage to the heart muscle
- inflammation levels
- muscle damage
- D-dimer, to check that no blood clots are present
- heart health
- iron levels
Other tests can include:
- a chest X-ray
- a urine test
- an electrocardiogram to check for heart problems
Home remedies for dealing with long-term COVID will likely be similar to home treatments for COVID-19. Options include:
- taking over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen, to relieve painful symptoms or fever
- rest and relax
- set achievable goals to achieve
- gradually increasing exercise levels, if applicable
Taking care of general health is also important. These include:
- following a healthy diet
- get quality sleep
- limiting alcohol consumption
- limiting the intake of caffeine
- do not smoke
People may also find it helpful to connect to a support network, especially if COVID has long been affecting their mental health, financial security, or social well-being.
There is currently no clear timeline for recovery from a long COVID. Research reports that people may experience symptoms 60-90 days after the initial infection, and some people may experience symptoms for longer.
Viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 can also cause long-lasting symptoms. According to the British Heart Foundation, the duration of symptoms of other viruses suggests that long-lasting COVID symptoms may resolve within 3 months. People can continue to feel tired for up to 6 months.
However, these are rough estimates and recovery times may vary for each individual.
Because the condition of long COVID is so new, researchers and health care providers are still working to understand its causes, treatment options, and possible recovery times.
People with a long-term COVID can call a doctor for advice.
However, a person needs medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath that gets worse
- 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 tell them they have symptoms that may be related to COVID-19.
As more people discuss their experiences with COVID, some countries are starting to provide more formal support. In the UK, for example, a COVID Recovery tool from the National Health Service (NHS) is now available.
In the United States, however, informal support groups – such as Body Politic – are still the main source of help for people with long-term COVID symptoms.
Some people with COVID-19 symptoms can recover within a few weeks. In others, however, recovery can take much longer.
Long COVID is the term for COVID-19 symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the initial infection.
People can discuss a treatment plan with a doctor. Taking steps to care for their health and well-being – such as by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest, and getting gentle exercise – can help a person cope with COVID for a long time.
Medical treatment may be required to treat any secondary infections or complications.