What is long COVID?
The condition known as long COVID is used to describe the long-term side effects experienced in people who have contracted coronavirus.
How long it takes to recover from COVID-19 is different for everybody. Many people will 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.
What causes long COVID?
Long COVID is caused by contracting coronavirus. Long-term symptoms Do not appear to be linked to how ill you are when you first get COVID-19. People with mild coronavirus symptoms at first can still have long-term problems.
What are the symptoms of long COVID?
Typical symptoms of long COVID include:
- Fatigue (extreme debilitating tiredness)
- Memory and concentration problems, often described as ‘brain fog’
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Breathlessness and shortness of breath
- Anxiety and depression
- Palpitations
- Chest pains or tightness
- Joint or muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Joint stiffness
- A persistent cough
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Pins and needles
- Tinnitus and earache
