Are your COVID symptoms hanging around longer than expected? Researchers have identified this as long COVID, read more about this condition.
For many people, COVID-19 is a short-term illness with symptoms that resolve within a few weeks. However, for others, recovery doesn’t follow a predictable path. Symptoms may linger, return or even appear for the first time long after the initial infection. Family afternoons at The Pit Indoor Kart Racing leave you with headaches and severe fatigue. While a lack of taste and smell make it difficult to enjoy your favorite French toast from Linden Bakery.
This condition is commonly known as long COVID, long-haul COVID or post-COVID syndrome. While the terminology varies, all three refer to the same issue: ongoing or recurring health problems linked to a prior COVID infection. As awareness grows, more patients are recognizing that persistent symptoms after COVID are real and worthy of medical attention.
Understanding Long COVID
In the United States, long COVID is often described as a chronic condition triggered by the virus that causes COVID. It can involve symptoms that started during the original illness and never fully went away, or new symptoms and medical conditions that develop after the initial recovery period.
Many health care professionals use a timeframe of three months or longer after the onset of COVID symptoms to describe long COVID. It’s important to note, long COVID can affect people regardless of how mild or severe their initial illness was. Even individuals who were never hospitalized or had minimal symptoms can experience lingering effects.
How Long Can Long COVID Last?
One of the most challenging aspects of long COVID is its unpredictability. Symptoms or conditions can last weeks, months or even years. For some people, symptoms gradually improve over time. For others, they may come and go, resolve temporarily or reemerge later.
Long COVID does not affect everyone the same way. While some individuals experience mild disruptions, others may struggle with symptoms that significantly impact daily life. In some cases, long COVID can result in temporary or long-term disability, affecting a person’s ability to work, exercise or manage everyday responsibilities.
Common Symptoms of Long COVID
Long COVID can involve a wide range of symptoms that vary in severity and duration. Commonly reported symptoms include:
- Fatigue that interferes with daily activities.
- Problems with memory or concentration, often referred to as “brain fog.”
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
- Persistent changes in taste or smell.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath or lingering cough
- Sleep disturbances
- Headaches
- Depression or anxiety
- Digestive issues
- Joint or muscle pain
- Changes in menstrual cycle
Some individuals with long COVID develop additional health conditions that were caused or worsened by COVID, such as migraines or autoimmune disorders. Others may be diagnosed with conditions linked to long COVID, including heart disease, lung disease, mood disorders, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis–Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS).
Why Does Long COVID Occur?
At this time, researchers have not identified a single cause of long COVID. What is known is that COVID can trigger infection-associated chronic conditions in certain individuals.
According to the Mayo Clinic, several theories may help explain lingering symptoms, including:
- Disruption of immune system communication, potentially leading to autoimmune reactions.
- Reactivation of viruses that were previously dormant in the body.
- Changes to the gut’s natural balance.
- Damage to communication pathways involving the brain stem or the vagus nerve (which controls many automatic bodily functions).
Research is ongoing as experts continue working to better understand why long COVID develops and how best to treat it.
Getting Care at AFC Mooresville
Currently, there is no definitive test to diagnose long COVID. Evaluation begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history and how your health has changed since having COVID.
At AFC Mooresville, providers can perform a variety of in-house diagnostic tests to help better understand your condition, including:
- Blood tests
- Chest X-rays
- Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
These results help determine next steps for care, including treatment recommendations or referrals to specialists when appropriate.
Life with Long Covid
Long COVID is complex, and treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Because symptoms and causes vary widely, managing long COVID may take time, patience and ongoing medical guidance. Research continues to evolve, offering hope for improved understanding and care. If you’re experiencing lingering symptoms after COVID-19, AFC Mooresville is here to help you navigate the next steps and connect you with the care you need.
