You snooze you lose?
People who suffer from the condition commonly report a sense of tiredness or fatigue that is overwhelming and interferes with daily life.
Much research has focused on understanding why certain groups are more at risk than others of suffering from Long COVID.
A worsening of this symptom after physical or mental exertion—"post-exertional malaise"—and a fever might also be present.
Reinfection with the virus can happen multiple times. Each time a person is reinfected, it increases their risk of developing Long COVID.
Sufferers might experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, as well as a cough, chest pain, and heart palpitations.
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.
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.
The pandemic might be a distant memory, but there's a silent reminder of it that remains: a condition known as Long COVID.
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.
The range of ongoing health problems arising from Long COVID can last weeks, months, or even years, depending on the person affected.
People call Long COVID by many names, including post-COVID conditions, long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long-term effects of COVID, and chronic COVID.
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.
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.
Those who were infected with COVID-19 before they were vaccinated might be at a higher risk of developing Long COVID.
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.
Diarrhea and stomach pain have also been reported in some cases, as well as joint or muscle pain, rashes, or menstrual cycle changes.
Diabetes, heart conditions, blood clots, or neurological conditions are also more commonly experienced by people who've suffered from COVID-19 than those who haven't.
People with underlying health conditions prior to COVID-19; those who weren't vaccinated; and those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care for their initial COVID infection, are the three main groups believed to be most at-risk.
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.
The best way to help prevent Long COVID is to take the steps that prevent the COVID-19 virus from speading. You can protect yourself and those around you by practicing good hygiene.
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.
Keeping up-to-date with vaccinations and boosters will make it less likely that you develop Long COVID after COVID-19 infection.
These are the most common symptoms, however the list is not exhaustive. More than 200 symptoms have been linked to Long COVID.
Confusingly, some people feel better after making a recovery from COVID-19, before these symptoms begin to emerge in the weeks or months afterward.
Although not as common an occurrence, unfortunately Long COVID does sometimes affect young children and adolescents as well.
Meanwhile, there are numerous studies ongoing to help better understand the condition and how people are affected by it. As more information is discovered, it opens the door for better treatments to become available in the future.
Sources: (CDC) (Time) (Everyday Health) (TODAY.com) (Yale Medicine)
See also: The top anti-inflammatory foods to improve your health
Fortunately, for those living with the condition, there are support groups available for them and their caregivers. Attending can help people to lessen their sense of isolation.
Even if someone is properly diagnosed, there’s currently no promise they’ll completely recover. Right now, there’s no "cure."
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.
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 signs and symptoms of Long COVID
When debilitating symptoms persist long after infection
HEALTH Covid-19
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.