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General health information

Long COVID

Long COVID, also called post-COVID, means symptoms persist after a coronavirus infection or continue to have a clear impact later. Fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, brain fog, loss of smell and worsening after exertion are common. Good care involves both acknowledging symptoms and ruling out other treatable causes. Overexertion can delay recovery, especially when symptoms worsen after activity.

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  • Persistent symptoms after coronavirus are often called post-COVID or long COVID.
  • Symptoms persist or recur after a coronavirus infection, and several may occur together.
  • Severe fatigue, brain fog, breathlessness, palpitations and worsening after exertion are common.
  • Not everything has to be caused by post-COVID; actively consider other treatable causes.
  • There is no proven quick cure. This makes pacing, realistic planning and medical assessment especially important.

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Further reading

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A
After COVID: recovering in the first weeksAfter COVID, many people still have fatigue, reduced fitness, a cough or brain fog for a few weeks. Rest, a gentle pace and attention to warning signs help support safe recovery.
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Persistent or recurring nasal symptomsPersistent or repeatedly recurring nasal symptoms have several possible causes. Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis are common, but nasal polyps, prolonged irritation, rebound from decongestant nasal sprays or structural problems may also contribute. One-sided blockage, nosebleeds, a visible mass or loss of smell with breathlessness deserve extra attention.
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ME/CFSME/CFS is a long-term illness in which exertion can markedly worsen symptoms. This setback is called post-exertional malaise, or PEM, and requires careful management of available energy.