Still feel unwell after COVID-19? Here’s what you need to know about Long COVID.

from LONG COVID ESSENTIALS
a resources series by The Sick Times x Long COVID Justice

If you still feel sick or unwell weeks or months after getting COVID-19, you are not alone. COVID-19 can lead to a disease called Long COVID that has over 200 symptoms. It can affect every part of the body. People in all age groups, from children to older adults, can get Long COVID.

For some people, their symptoms never resolve after getting infected. Others develop the disease weeks or months later. These symptoms can happen even if you never felt very sick during your initial COVID-19 case or if you never tested positive. That can make them hard to recognize. Here’s what you need to know:

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF LONG COVID

  • Fatigue (tiredness, weakness, or heaviness)
  • Headaches
  • Problems concentrating, thinking, or remembering (sometimes called “brain fog”)
  • Dizziness when standing or sitting up
  • Post exertional malaise (PEM) (profound exhaustion and worse symptoms after even mild physical, emotional, or mental activity)
  • Chest pain (If you have symptoms of a heart attack, which include chest pain and pressure spreading to the arms, back, neck, or jaw, go to the emergency room immediately.)
  • Problems with digestion
  • Behavior changes in children (difficulty with school, sports, and social activities)

See other resources in this series for more common symptoms.

Long COVID may look and present differently in each person. Symptoms can appear to resolve before returning. Long COVID is usually noticeable 1 to 3 months after infection. But if you have health issues at any point after COVID-19, you should see a doctor.

Talk to your doctor or find a Long COVID clinic

Talk to a doctor about your symptoms, your recent COVID-19 case, and your concerns about Long COVID. You can also ask them to order these tests (page 9-10) or to refer you to a Long COVID clinic. Some Long COVID clinics don’t need referrals.

Long COVID can include many health issues. Ask doctors about:

RESOURCES FOR YOU

Many people may not be able to see a doctor familiar with Long COVID. But as you wait and look for care, there are a few things you can do:

  • Track your symptoms in a journal or on a free app like Visible.
  • Rest as much as possible and keep your heart rate low.
  • Use a technique called “pacing” where you self-manage your energy. Here’s a helpful guide for adults and one for children.
  • Join a support group on social media or from a research center.
  • Consider joining a clinical trial to participate in research on Long COVID.
  • Do all you can to avoid getting COVID-19 again, as it may make symptoms worse or delay recovery.

RESOURCES FOR YOUR DOCTORS

Long COVID Justice has a great list of resources that were created especially for doctors, which includes information and research related to diagnosing and treating Long COVID and associated diseases.

Writer: Miles Griffis • Editor: Betsy Ladyzhets • Medical reviewer: Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly

Printable version of this resource page

Additional resources & info

Join the Long COVID Justice list for resource updates, action alerts, & events
Join The Sick Times’ list for resource updates, research news, interviews, & more

Notes

  • This series was published in fall 2024; some information may be subject to change.
  • Although each topic has been reviewed by medical professionals, they are informational resources, not medical advice. Always talk to your medical providers before trying treatments or symptom management strategies. 
  • Each resource page offers brief information and is not comprehensive. We know there is much more information on each topic we cover, and that there are additional topics not yet addressed in this series.