Long-term effects of COVID-19
For some people COVID-19 can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the initial infection. This is called ‘Long Covid’ or ‘post-COVID19 syndrome’.
What is long COVID?
Many people with COVID-19 return to their previous level of health within 1-2 weeks after a positive test. Some people however remain unwell and have a range of symptoms beyond 3 weeks. A smaller proportion remain unwell for many months.
Post-COVID-19, also known as long COVID, describes the symptoms that arise in some people in the weeks or months following a COVID infection. A range of symptoms have been reported in both adults and children, with variation in the duration of symptoms and clinical history. Post-COVID-19 symptoms may be experienced by people who had either mild, moderate or severe COVID-19. Some symptoms subside gradually with self-directed care alone, while other symptoms may require care from a health professional, and new symptoms may arise over time.
What are the symptoms?
There are more than 200 symptoms that have been reported in patients with long COVID, some of the most common symptoms are:
- prolonged cough lasting greater than 4 weeks
- headaches
- dizziness
- loss of appetite for days
- shortness of breath
- cognitive dysfunction (Brain fog)
- fatigue
- chest pain
- anxiety or depression
- muscle aches
- fevers
- loss of taste
- loss of smell
- reduced activity and functional level
- sleep disturbance
What causes long COVID?
At this stage, there is not enough data to determine what causes long COVID symptoms, or how to predict who is at higher risk of long COVID.
Who gets long COVID?
Studies suggest vaccinated people are less likely to have long COVID symptoms. Long COVID affects people with more severe symptoms during COVID-19 infection, however, it is much less likely to affect people who have a mild infection.
How is long COVID treated?
As we don’t currently have enough long-term data, the best way to treat long COVID is symptomatic management. This may consist of a multidisciplinary team to set expectations and goals covering physical, psychological, or psychiatric aspects.
Can long COVID be prevented?
The best way to prevent post-COVID symptoms is by getting vaccinated as soon as you can. Vaccination is recommended even if you’ve had previous infection of COVID-19 and is now available for those 5 years old and older. Vaccination is also recommended for children ages 6 months to under 5 years in at-risk population groups.