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Long Covid: the symptoms and tips for recovery

Updated eighteen February 2022

While coronavirus symptoms may pass quickly, some people are suffering long-term effects. We look at the symptoms of long Covid and offer some tips to help manage them.

What's on this page

What is long Covid?

• What is long Covid?
• How probable am I to get long Covid?
• How long does it take to recover from long Covid?

What are the symptoms of long Covid?

• What are the symptoms of long Covid?
• Which long Covid symptoms are about common?
• Is it normal to have chest pain after Covid?
• What blazon of chest hurting do people get later Covid?
• Is it normal to accept back pain subsequently Covid?
• Why practice some people get palpitations, feel dizzy or faint after Covid?

Tips for managing long Covid symptoms

• Fatigue and breathlessness
• Heave your mood and mental health
• Tips for thinking or retentiveness bug
• Relieving joint or musculus pain

What tests and treatments are available?

• Is there a test for long Covid?
• Is there a treatment for long Covid?

Vaccination and long Covid

• Does getting vaccinated reduce the run a risk of long Covid?
• Does getting vaccinated help if you lot already take long Covid?
• Can children go long Covid?

Mutual questions virtually long Covid

• Who is most at risk of developing long Covid?
• Is long Covid contagious?
• If I have long Covid, volition I test positive?
• What support can I go for long Covid?
• What research is being done into long Covid?

• Read stories from people with long Covid

Nosotros're hither for y'all with information and support around coronavirus

Our fortnightly Heart Matters newsletter includes the latest updates nearly coronavirus when you have a heart status, besides as support for salubrious eating, staying active and your emotional wellbeing.

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What is long Covid?

What is long Covid?

Long Covid is a term to describe the effects of Covid-xix that continue for weeks or months beyond the initial disease. The health watchdog the National Establish for Health and Care Excellence (Squeamish) defines long Covid as lasting for more than 12 weeks, although some people consider symptoms that last more than viii weeks to be long Covid. The Earth Health Organization (WHO) defines long Covid every bit "usually 3 months from the onset of Covid-19 with symptoms that terminal for at to the lowest degree 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis."

Inquiry published in June 2021 past Imperial College London, based on half a million people in England, institute two chief categories of ongoing symptoms: a smaller grouping of people with respiratory symptoms, such as a coughing or breathlessness, (this group was more likely to take had severe Covid-19 disease initially), and a larger grouping with a cluster of more than general symptoms, particularly tiredness and fatigue.

Enquiry based on people who reported their symptoms of long Covid on the Zoe Covid Symptom Study app likewise identified two principal groups of symptoms, 1 mainly respiratory, but including fatigue and headaches, and a second group of symptoms affecting many parts of the body, including the center, brain and the gut. In the written report of 4,182 people, heart symptoms were usually reported, such as palpitations or increased heartbeat, also as non-heart-related symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness and 'brain fog'.

How likely am I to get long Covid?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that between iii and 12 per cent of people who catch Covid will still have symptoms 12 weeks after their initial infection. This is based on information provided by 20,000 people in the Coronavirus Infection Survey (CIS) between 26 April and 1 Baronial 2021.

Information technology'southward important to note that these estimates were made before Omicron became the dominant variant in the UK. Because Omicron hasn't been around for long enough, we don't withal know whether information technology is more than or less likely to result in long Covid. Because more of the population are now fully vaccinated, information technology volition besides be hard to tell whether any differences in long Covid rates are due to the differences between variants or because of the protective effects of vaccination.

The ONS estimates that i.3 million people in the Britain were experiencing long Covid symptoms as of 2 January 2022. This amounts to just over ane in fifty of the population (2.1 per cent). This was divers as symptoms that had lasted more than than 4 weeks from the initial infection. This is upwardly from 1.2 million (i.9%) as of 2 October, reflecting the increment in Covid infections in December 2021.

More than four in 10 (42 per cent) of those people were experiencing long Covid symptoms more than a twelvemonth subsequently their beginning suspected infection. Most ii thirds (63 per cent) said their symptoms had reduced their ability to deport out daily activities.

A report published in June by Imperial Higher, London, of half a meg adults in England who reported having Covid disease constitute that over a third still had at least 1 symptom 12 weeks later.

A report led by the University of Leicester of just over 1,000 people who had needed handling in hospital for Covid institute that the majority (7 in 10) had non fully recovered five months after they were discharged. The study authors said that 1 in five of those in the study could be considered to have a new disability.

Of those who were working earlier they had Covid-19, nearly one in five (17.viii per cent) were no longer working and a farther one in v (19.3 per cent) had experienced a health-related alter to their piece of work.

• Learn more most what coronavirus does to the body.
• The BHF is supporting research into Covid-19 and its effects on the heart and circulatory system.

How long does information technology accept to recover from long Covid?

We are nevertheless learning how long the illness lasts and it varies between people. It'south important to note that lasting effects aren't unique to Covid-nineteen – other viral illnesses can also take lasting furnishings. The study led by Leicester researchers described in a higher place suggests that among those who needed infirmary treatment for the initial disease, it is common for information technology to last five months or more, and in that location are divide reports of it lasting 12 months or more (this includes both people who didn't need infirmary treatment initially and those who did.)

What are the symptoms of long Covid?

Although near people who get Covid-19 recover quickly, for some the effects of the virus tin last for weeks or months. This is known equally "long Covid".

For some, it tin can seem like a cycle of improving for a time and then getting worse once more. These long-term effects aren't only among those who needed to go to hospital, or even who felt seriously unwell when they first caught the virus.

Lasting symptoms of coronavirus can include:

• fatigue
• breathlessness or shortness of breath
• difficulty sleeping
• feet and depression
• heart palpitations
• chest tightness or pain
• articulation or muscle pain
• not existence able to think directly or focus ('brain fog')
• change to your sense of smell or taste
• persistent cough

Which long Covid symptoms are most common?

According to the ONS, the most common symptoms experienced by people with long Covid are fatigue (51%), loss of olfactory property (37%), shortness of breath (36%), followed by difficulty concentrating (28%).

Is it normal to have breast pain afterwards Covid?

Chest pain is a common symptom of Covid-19. Some people are experiencing breast pain that lasts beyond their initial Covid-19 infection, or that starts in the weeks later on they've had the virus.

Information technology'south of import to remember that even if you have had Covid-xix and are now are experiencing breast pain, it may not exist related to the virus.

If you feel any new type of breast hurting, it'southward important to get medical communication, as chest pain can be a sign of something more serious, like a heart or lung problem.

When should I seek urgent medical help?

Call 999 if you experience:

• Chest pain that is sudden or severe and doesn't become away
• Sudden breast pain that is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, sweating, or shortness of breath
• Sudden chest pain that is accompanied by a loss of consciousness

If y'all have chest pain that comes and goes, you should yet speak to your GP about it or call 111 – every bit chest pain should never be ignored.

Some people with astringent Covid-19 also feel middle and circulatory problems during their illness.

• Read more about Covid-19 and your eye
• Read more than well-nigh Covid-nineteen and claret clots

What blazon of chest pain do people get after Covid-19?

We are however learning more about breast pain following Covid-19, simply it seems probable that information technology tin be caused past a diverseness of things.

Musculus pain or soreness (myalgia)

Severe viral infections, including Covid-19, tin cause muscle hurting or soreness, which can be in a specific surface area or spread more widely. The affected area feels sore to the bear upon and is made worse past specific movements such every bit turning the chest or stretching.

Not-specific chest pain

Non-specific chest pain, which is likewise chosen non-cardiac chest hurting, can be sharp or irksome, and can happen in brusque bursts or exist ongoing. It ofttimes doesn't have a crusade that can be institute.

• Notice more than data about different types of chest pain on Your Covid Recovery from the NHS.

Is it normal to have back pain afterwards Covid?

While articulation and muscle bug tin occur anywhere in the body during or after Covid-nineteen, back problems are amidst the nearly common. You may have had dorsum pain at times earlier getting Covid-19, and if you were less active while you were ill, this could have made joint or muscle issues come dorsum, or get worse. Articulation stiffness and muscle weakness is also probable to go worse if y'all weren't moving effectually as much when y'all were unwell.

In the weeks later on getting Covid-19, some people have back anguish or a feeling or pins and needles. As you lot keep to recover, many of these symptoms may also ameliorate. Yous can aim for a balance of rest with as much of your normal daily activity you feel you tin can do, and also exercise to improve your forcefulness and flexibility, such equally stretches or yoga.

When should I seek medical help?

If your hurting is severe, and interfering with your daily activities, you can talk to your doctor for advice, or if:

• your back hurting is getting worse
• fatigue or breathlessness is preventing you from being active
• yous develop new symptoms
• your joints and muscle bug haven't improved later on three months.

Find out more near how to manage joint and musculus issues on Your Covid Recovery from the NHS.

Why exercise some people get palpitations, feel lightheaded or faint after Covid?

There is emerging prove that some people who develop long Covid have similar symptoms to people with a status known as postural tachycardia syndrome, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). This status tin can cause dizziness when moving to an upright position and can be triggered past infections. The most common symptoms are feeling lightheaded, palpitations (being aware of your heartbeat) and fatigue.

There accept been several case reports in medical journals of people who had continuing symptoms following Covid-19 infection, and some were found to take PoTS. PoTs happens because your torso's means of avoiding a drib in blood force per unit area when yous stand aren't working properly. Usually when yous sit up or stand up, gravity makes some of your blood flow downward, which can crusade a autumn in blood pressure level. Your trunk responds to forestall a fall in blood force per unit area by narrowing your blood vessels and slightly increasing your heart rate. But if you lot have PoTS these automatic changes don't happen. When you lot move to an upright position the supply of blood to your heart and encephalon drops and your middle starts beating faster to compensate.

While there is no cure for PoTS, information technology can exist managed past diet, exercise and medication, and the researchers say it is important to get an accurate diagnosis and so patients tin can exist treated and advised on how to manage their symptoms.

If this sounds like your symptoms later having Covid-19, you should allow your doctor know to ensure you are correctly diagnosed and can receive effective treatment.

The Royal Higher of Physicians (RCP) have published guidance for doctors that recognises orthostatic problems (including PoTS) as symptoms of long Covid. Orthostatic means relating to, or acquired by, being upright.

The RCP recommend to doctors that patients experiencing breathlessness, palpitations, fatigue, chest hurting and fainting should exist checked carefully for orthostatic problems. This includes having an active stand test, which measures a patient'southward changes in middle rate and blood pressure after moving from a lying to a standing position.

• Find out more about PoTS.

Tips for managing long Covid symptoms

Fatigue and breathlessness

• Step yourself - plan what you're going to do and don't over-exert yourself.
• Endeavour to suspension tasks which feel difficult down into smaller chunks, and alternating easier and harder activities.
• Consider the best time of the day to do certain activities based on your energy levels.
• Frequent short rests are better than a few longer ones, then rest before you become exhausted.
• Don't end doing things that make you feel breathless. If you cease using your muscles, they'll get weaker, which can make you more than breathless when you endeavour to utilise them.
• Try to gradually increment the amount of practise y'all do. Effort going for brusque walks or doing simple force exercises and build up from in that location.
• If you use a walking stick or a frame, lean forward on it when yous feel breathless.
• The ME Association has published a leaflet virtually post-Covid fatigue. You can besides phone call them on 0344 576 5326 for further support.

Boost your mood and mental health

•  Be kind to yourself during your recovery – be prepared that some days will be worse than others
•  Connecting with other people can help you feel happier – brand sure to go on in touch with family unit and friends.
•  Having a daily routine can be good for your mood and sense of stability.
•  Stay active – continuing to movement will assist release endorphins and improve your mood.

Tips for thinking or retentiveness problems

• Make notes to assistance you recollect things – whether information technology's in work meetings or medical appointments.
• Endeavor to reduce distractions.
• Information technology can aid to make a articulate plan before approaching any new or complicated problem or situation. Break it downwards into steps, and go along checking your programme as you follow it.

Relieving joint or musculus pain

• Flexibility exercises (like stretches, yoga and tai chi) and force exercises (like climbing stairs, lifting weights and working with resistance bands) can exist useful. Cheque with your doctor earlier starting a new exercise authorities.

What tests and treatments are available?

Is there a test for long Covid?

There isn't one single test to diagnose long Covid. It's a condition that isn't fully understood yet.

Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing lasting long Covid symptoms. They may refer you lot for tests to aid sympathise how long Covid is affecting you lot and how it can exist treated. Or it may even be that there is another crusade for your symptoms.

Tests could include:

• blood tests
• centre rate and blood force per unit area checks
• a sit down-to-stand test
• an ECG
• a breast X-ray

Researchers are looking into new ways to examination for long Covid.

• Find out more virtually why researchers think findings near the immune organisation could unlock the manner to a test for long Covid
• Learn near a special MRI to meliorate understand lung harm from long Covid

Is in that location a treatment for long Covid?

Unfortunately, at that place isn't i single treatment or medication to care for long Covid.

Anybody'due south experience is different, so it'southward important to chat to your GP most the symptoms you are experiencing. They tin can tell you how to best manage them, and let you know what other back up is available.

If long Covid is having a large touch on on your life, you may be referred to a specialist rehabilitation service, or a specialist who looks after the symptoms yous have.

There's lots of things you can do at home to manage your symptoms as you recover.

• Read our tips for managing fatigue and breathlessness, low mood, memory problems, or articulation pain.

Vaccination and long Covid

Does getting vaccinated reduce the risk of long Covid?

Yeah – there is lots of evidence that having the vaccine reduces your risk of developing long Covid.

In February 2022 the UK Wellness Security Bureau (UKHSA) published a review of 15 long Covid studies from the United kingdom and across the world. They institute that people who defenseless Covid after having two doses of Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Moderna, or i dose of the Janssen vaccine, were half equally likely to develop lasting Covid symptoms (lasting 28 days or more from the original infection), compared to those who were unvaccinated, or only had one dose. The research besides constitute a reduction in longer-term long Covid symptoms (up to six months). This review only looked at people who defenseless Covid – given that vaccination besides reduces your risk of communicable Covid, the actual reduction in long Covid risk from the vaccine is significantly bigger.

Inquiry from King's College Londonalso suggests that two doses of the vaccine halves the risk of long Covid in adults. The analysis, looking at data from the ZOE Covid App between 8 December 2020 and four July 2021, too showed that fully vaccinated adults are much less probable to demand infirmary treatment and tend to report milder Covid symptoms than those who are unvaccinated.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) backs this up, showing that 2 doses of the vaccine could reduce the risk of developing long Covid past twoscore% (in people 18-69 years of age).

These studies happened before Omicron became the dominant Covid variant in the UK, or before boosters were widely rolled out, so more inquiry needs to be done to understand the affect of these.

• Run into upwards-to-date research most the safe and effectiveness of the vaccine

Does getting vaccinated help if you already have long Covid?

At that place is growing evidence that getting the vaccine could reduce long Covid in people who caught the virus before they were vaccinated. We are still learning more nearly this and what the reasons for it might exist.

In the UKHSA evidence review, 3 out of four studies looking at long Covid before and later on vaccination establish that more people reported an improvement in symptoms (either straight abroad or over several weeks) than people who were unvaccinated. But there were a few people in all studies who found that their symptoms got worse.

In inquiry published in October 2021, the Office for National Statistics used data from the UK Coronavirus Infection Survey to expect at the association betwixt Covid-19 vaccination and long Covid in people who already had it before the vaccine.

In research published in October 2021, the Office for National Statistics used information from the Great britain Coronavirus Infection Survey to look at the association between Covid-nineteen vaccination and long Covid in people who already had it before the vaccine. They found that the first vaccine was associated with an initial 13% decrease in the likelihood of cocky-reported long Covid, although it's non clear from the data whether this was a lasting improvement or if symptoms returned afterward an initial improvement. The second dose was associated with 9% decrease in the likelihood of self-reported long Covid, relative to having received the offset vaccination, and there was statistical bear witness of a sustained improvement afterwards this.

Which vaccine was used (Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Moderna) didn't appear to make any difference to the results. Nor did the person's age, ethnic background, gender or other health issues.

This type of study is observational, which ways it can't prove cause and effect. The study was also limited in that it only followed people for an average of 67 days after the second vaccine, and not everyone in the study had their 2d vaccine. So nosotros tin't be certain from this that the Covid-19 vaccines help people with long Covid (although nosotros exercise know that they reduce the risk of getting Covid once again). Over fourth dimension, the quality and agreement of this data will better and the conclusions and statistics generated will be more definite.

Can children get long Covid?

Yeah. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data from the UK Coronavirus Infection Survey which looked at how many people showed symptoms five weeks after infection. The survey showed that near 13 per cent of children in the survey anile between ii and 11 and 14.v per cent of children aged 12 to 16 reported certain symptoms including fatigue, coughing, headache, muscle aches or loss of taste or smell five weeks after falling ill with Covid-19. But information technology isn't articulate from the published data how many children these figures were based on.

The ONS likewise published data which showed that ane in 10 secondary school pupils reported ongoing symptoms more four weeks after a confirmed Covid-19 infection. A similar proportion of pupils who had a suspected (simply non confirmed) Covid-19 infection also reported that they had symptoms that lasted more than four weeks. The most common symptoms were "weakness/ tiredness", reported by nearly half of pupils who had lingering symptoms. Vi out of ten pupils with long Covid symptoms said it express their ability to carry out day to twenty-four hours activities. The data was based on a survey of 2,326 pupils in schools in England from 2-26 July 2021.

• Contact Long Covid Kids for more information and to connect to other parents

Common questions about long Covid

Who is about at risk of developing long Covid?

Researchers have analysed data from the COVID Symptom Study app to discover who is most at risk of developing long Covid. They found that older people, women, and those who had a more severe infection (with five or more than symptoms in the first week of becoming ill with Covid-19) were more likely to develop long Covid.

They plant that long Covid affects around i in ten 18-49 yr-olds who go Covid-xix, increasing to merely over one in 5 (22 per cent) people over 70. The researchers also plant people with asthma were as well more likely to develop long Covid. This was the only clear link they establish to existing wellness conditions in people who developed long Covid.

Researchers from University Hospital Zurich have backed up these findings. Their enquiry besides found that people with low levels of certain antibodies (IgM and IgG3) in their claret may exist more than likely to develop long Covid. When they combined this antibody data with the other factors (such as the person'due south age, number of initial Covid symptoms, and history of asthma), they were meliorate able to predict who would get on to have long Covid.

Figures from the Function for National Statistics on people with self-reported long Covid said it was about common among those aged 35-69, females, people living in the most deprived areas, those working in health or social care, or teaching and teaching, and people with another health condition or disability. This study was based on 305,997 people who responded to the Coronavirus Infection Survey in the four weeks to two Jan 2022.

Is long Covid contagious?

Long Covid is not contagious. Long Covid symptoms are caused by your body'southward response to the virus continuing beyond the initial illness.

To avert passing coronavirus on to others, you lot should self-isolate for 10 days from your original symptoms or positive test, or if later x days you notwithstanding have a temperature, or runny nose or sneezing, or sickness or diarrhoea, until these symptoms have gone.

If I accept long Covid, volition I examination positive?

No, having long Covid symptoms won't cause you to test positive.

If you lot go a positive Covid examination result it'due south well-nigh likely to exist a new infection from the one that caused your long Covid symptoms. If y'all have a positive examination, as ever, you lot need to self-isolate for 10 full days to avert passing it on. If after ten days you notwithstanding have a fever, or are feeling hot or shivery, or have a runny olfactory organ or sneezing, or are feeling or being sick, or have diarrhoea, you should self-isolate until those symptoms have gone. If any of these symptoms are lasting a long time and you think they may be symptoms of long Covid, you tin get some other PCR test to see if you nonetheless have an active infection.

What back up can I get for long Covid?

• Long Covid clinics are being rolled out across England and have started in Wales to help those struggling with ongoing symptoms. Speak to your GP or healthcare professional to find out if y'all are being referred. No like services accept withal been announced in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Your Covid Recovery has been set upward by the NHS to provide information and support to those who've had Covid and are all the same suffering with symptoms. A bilingual version of the app has been developed by NHS Wales.
• If you're worried about your symptoms, or if they are getting worse, contact your GP. You may be able to be referred for physiotherapy, or for psychological back up such every bit cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
• Always call 999 if you lot have whatever emergency symptoms, such equally sudden breast paint, or if you think you may be having a heart attack or stroke. Discover out more data on when to get medical assistance.

What research is existence done into long Covid?

The BHF and others are funding research to find out more than about long Covid. Read more about what inquiry is happening into long Covid.

Read stories from people with long Covid

If you're struggling with the ongoing symptoms of coronavirus, it can be helpful to know you're non alone.

	A year of health issues: Suki'due south story "I found the only style to become better is to stop and rest for as long equally it takes." Read Suki's story
	Mark'south ongoing battle with long Covid "Each day was like being on a rollercoaster in the dark." ReadMark's story
	James'southward road to recovery "Things are going in the right direction. At present, my worst moments aren't as bad as the previous worst moments. I just have to exist patient." Read James's story
	Martin'due south experience of long Covid "Sometimes I just need a bit of time on my own so I tin sit, reflect on what's happened, and try to deal with it." Read Martin's story

We're here for you with information and support around coronavirus

Our fortnightly Centre Matters newsletter includes the latest updates about coronavirus when y'all have a centre condition, also as back up for good for you eating, staying active and your emotional wellbeing.

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Source: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/long-covid

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