For some people, COVID-19 can cause symptoms that last weeks or even months after the infection has gone.
This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome or “long COVID.”
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What is Long COVID?
It takes time to actually recover from COVID-19 even after the infection has gone. Many people feel better in a few days or weeks and most will make a full recovery within 12 weeks, but for some people, symptoms can last longer.
According to the National Health Service in England, the chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get COVID-19. People who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems.
What are the symptoms of long COVID?
There are lots of symptoms you can have after a COVID-19 infection. Common long COVID symptoms include:
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Extreme tiredness (Fatigue)
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Shortness of breath
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Chest pain or tightness
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Problems with memory and concentration (Brain fog)
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Difficulty sleeping (Insomnia)
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Heart palpitations
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Dizziness
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Pins and needles
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Joint pain
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Depression and anxiety
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Tinnitus, earaches
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Feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
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A high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
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Rashes
Treatment for Long COVID
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Your doctor may suggest some tests to find out more about your symptoms and rule out other things that could be causing them like blood tests, checking your blood pressure and heart rate, and a chest x-ray.
Your doctor will talk to you about the care and support you might need, and will talk to you about how to manage and monitor your symptoms at home.
If you’re suffering from long COVID, we hope that you will feel better soon. Take care!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
