Understanding Long COVID

What Persistent Symptoms May Mean for Your Health

If you had COVID-19 and you’re struggling to return to your pre-COVID state of health, you could have Long COVID: a serious long-lasting condition that can last for months or even years following COVID-19 illness.

Long COVID symptoms—such as fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, increased difficulties following any physical or mental exertion, neurological or digestive symptoms, and more—can continue to impact people who’ve been infected with the COVID-19 virus, especially if you had severe COVID-19.

Anyone who has had COVID-19 can experience Long COVID (including children) though it’s important to understand the wide range of symptoms involved that could indicate a different medical condition.

“While rates of new cases of Long COVID have decreased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains a serious public health concern as millions of U.S. adults and children have been affected by Long COVID,” says the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID is a serious illness with a large scope of persistent symptoms. Roughly 200 symptoms ranging from mild to severe have been identified. The illness can lead to serious complications that can improve, linger, or even worsen with time. Long COVID can last for weeks, months, or even years.

Although most people with Long COVID symptoms tend to report relief three to six months later, for others, the symptoms and conditions resulting from Long COVID can resolve, only to reemerge later.

Common Long COVID Symptoms

The mostly common Long COVID symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, and a worsening of symptoms after increasing your physical or mental activity called post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Other commonly reported symptoms include:

General Symptoms. Fatigue or a feeling of tiredness that effects daily activities, joint or muscle pain, rashes, and changes in menstrual cycles.

Respiratory Symptoms. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain.

Heart Symptoms. Chest pain, heart palpitations.

Neurological Symptoms. Struggling with thinking or focus, headaches, dizziness when standing up, sleep issues, sensations of pins and needles, a change in smell or taste.

Mental Health Symptoms. Anxiety or depression, difficulty sleeping, and feeling increased stress.

Digestive Symptoms. Diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation.

It’s not uncommon to experience a combination of symptoms that affect different parts of the body at once.

Complications from COVID-19

Some people experience new or worsening medical conditions following COVID-19, especially if their illness was severe. These can include:

• Diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Blood clots
• Neurological conditions
• Autoimmune disorders

If You Suspect Long COVID

Because Long COVID is a condition rather than a single, specific illness, there is no laboratory test to diagnose it. Instead, your primary care provider can assess you based on your health history and overall symptoms.

Even clinical tests—including blood work, X-rays, and tests such as electrocardiograms (EKG) may come back as normal for someone with Long COVID. However, your Munson primary care provider can create a personalized care plan that focuses on symptom management and functional improvement. 

Before your appointment, make a detailed list of symptoms, including:

• Severity
• Duration
• Times of the day
• Environments or activities that worsen symptoms
• Anything else you find concerning

This helps your provider determine next steps and alleviate symptoms, which may include testing, lifestyle recommendations, and referrals to specialists.

Need a new primary care provider? Click below to find a provider near you.