Most people recover after COVID-19 infection without any problems.  However, some people develop ’Long COVID’ or ‘post-COVID-19 syndrome’ even after recovering from the infection.  Long COVID is a term to describe the effects of COVID-19 which continue for weeks or months beyond the initial illness.  The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Long COVID as ‘usually 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms that last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.’

Click to watch WHO video on Long COVID

Symptoms of Long COVID

Neurological (most common)

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• pins and needles
• problems with memory or concentration (also called ‘brain fog’)
• headaches

Psychological (common)

• mood changes such as depression or anxiety
• difficulty sleeping

Respiratory (common)

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• cough or sore throat
• tinnitus or earache
• altered smell

Heart

• heart palpitations
• dizziness on standing
• chest pain or tightness

Musculo-skeletal

• pins and needles
• joint or muscle pains

Gastro-Intestinal

• loss of appetite or taste
• diarrhoea or nausea
• stomach aches or abdominal pain

Treatment

Unfortunately there is NO specific treatment for Long COVID.  Here are some tips on how to manage your symptoms;

Fatigue and breathlessness

• Pace yourself and do not over-exert yourself by doing excessive strenuous activities
• Break down your daily chores into smaller more manageable tasks
• Take frequent short breaks to prevent getting exhausted
• Take gentle exercises such as short walks on flat surfaces

Mental health

• Connect and keep in touch with your friends either face-to-face or virtually
• Stay active and have a plan to do things
• Have good sleeping habits

Prevention

The best way to avoid Long COVID is to prevent COVID-19 illness from spreading.  Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to prevent yourself getting serious COVID-19 infection and can also help protect those around you.

Consult a doctor for advice if you have these symptoms

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Disclaimer. TELEME blog posts contains general information about health conditions and treatments. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. 

If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.