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Long Covid: the symptoms and tips for recovery

Updated 1 Apr 2022

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

What's on this folio

What is long Covid?

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

Long Covid symptoms

• What are the symptoms of long Covid?
• Which long Covid symptoms are most common?
• Is it normal to take chest pain subsequently Covid?
• What type of chest pain exercise people get after Covid?
• Is information technology normal to have back pain later Covid?
• Why practise some people go palpitations, feel lightheaded or faint afterwards Covid?

Tips for managing long Covid symptoms

• Fatigue and breathlessness
• Boost your mood and mental health
• Tips for thinking or memory problems
• Relieving joint or muscle hurting

What tests and treatments are available?

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

Vaccination and long Covid

• Does getting vaccinated reduce the hazard of long Covid?
• Does getting vaccinated help if you already accept long Covid?
• Can children become long Covid?

Common questions nigh long Covid

• Who is nigh at risk of developing long Covid?
• Is long Covid contagious?
• If I take long Covid, will I exam positive?
• What back up can I go for long Covid?
• What inquiry is being done into long Covid?

• Read stories from people with long Covid

We're here for y'all with data and support around coronavirus

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What is long Covid?

What is long Covid?

Long Covid is a term to describe the effects of Covid-19 that continue for weeks or months across the initial disease.

The wellness watchdog the National Plant for Wellness and Care Excellence (NICE) defines long Covid as lasting for more than 12 weeks, although some people consider symptoms that last more than eight weeks to be long Covid. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines long Covid as "unremarkably iii months from the onset of Covid-19 with symptoms that last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained past an culling diagnosis."

Research published in June 2021 past Imperial College London, based on one-half a million people in England, found ii primary categories of ongoing symptoms: a smaller group of people with respiratory symptoms, such as a coughing or breathlessness, (this group was more probable to have had astringent Covid-19 illness initially), and a larger grouping with a cluster of more general symptoms, particularly tiredness and fatigue.

Research based on people who reported their symptoms of long Covid on the Zoe Covid Symptom Study app also identified two main groups of symptoms, one mainly respiratory, simply including fatigue and headaches, and a second grouping of symptoms affecting many parts of the body, including the center, brain and the gut. In the study of 4,182 people, heart symptoms were commonly reported, such as palpitations or increased heartbeat, equally well every bit non-heart-related symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness and 'encephalon fog'.

How likely am I to get long Covid?

The Function for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that between 3 and 12 per cent of people who catch Covid will nonetheless have symptoms 12 weeks afterwards their initial infection. This is based on information provided by 20,000 people in the Coronavirus Infection Survey (CIS) between 26 April and one August 2021.

Information technology's 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 plenty, we don't notwithstanding know whether information technology is more or less probable to outcome in long Covid. Because more of the population are now fully vaccinated, information technology will as well be hard to tell whether any differences in long Covid rates are due to the differences between variants or because of the protective furnishings of vaccination.

The ONS estimates that 1.3 1000000 people in the UK were experiencing long Covid symptoms as of two January 2022. This amounts to just over ane in fifty of the population (two.ane per cent). This was defined as symptoms that had lasted more 4 weeks from the initial infection. This is up from 1.2 1000000 (1.9%) as of 2 October, reflecting the increment in Covid infections in December 2021.

More than iv in 10 (42 per cent) of those people were experiencing long Covid symptoms more than than a year subsequently their showtime suspected infection. Almost two thirds (63 per cent) said their symptoms had reduced their ability to carry out daily activities.

A written report published in June by Imperial Higher, London, of one-half a million adults in England who reported having Covid illness found that over a third still had at least one symptom 12 weeks later.

A study led by the University of Leicester of simply over 1,000 people who had needed handling in infirmary for Covid plant that the majority (seven in ten) had not fully recovered five months after they were discharged. The written report authors said that one in five of those in the report could be considered to take a new disability.

Of those who were working before they had Covid-19, well-nigh 1 in five (17.8 per cent) were no longer working and a further 1 in v (19.3 per cent) had experienced a wellness-related change to their work.

• Learn more about 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 it take to recover from long Covid?

We are still learning how long the illness lasts and it varies between people. It'south important to notation that lasting effects aren't unique to Covid-19 – other viral illnesses can as well have lasting effects. The study led by Leicester researchers described higher up suggests that amongst those who needed hospital treatment for the initial illness, it is common for it to last 5 months or more, and there are dissever 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 well-nigh people who get Covid-19 recover chop-chop, for some the effects of the virus tin can last for weeks or months. This is known as "long Covid".

For some, it can seem like a cycle of improving for a fourth dimension so getting worse over again. These long-term furnishings aren't merely among those who needed to go to hospital, or even who felt seriously unwell when they first defenseless the virus.

Lasting symptoms of coronavirus can include:

• fatigue
• breathlessness or shortness of jiff
• difficulty sleeping
• feet and low
• centre palpitations
• breast tightness or hurting
• articulation or musculus pain
• non existence able to remember directly or focus ('brain fog')
• alter to your sense of olfactory property or taste
• persistent cough

Which long Covid symptoms are nigh common?

According to the ONS, as of half dozen December 2021 the virtually commonly reported long Covid symptoms were:

• fatigue (51%)
• loss of olfactory property (37%)
• shortness of jiff (36%)
• followed by difficulty concentrating (28%).

Is it normal to have chest pain subsequently Covid?

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

It's of import to recall that even if y'all have had Covid-19 and are now are experiencing chest pain, it may not be related to the virus.

If you lot feel whatsoever new type of chest hurting, it'due south important to go medical advice, every bit breast hurting tin exist a sign of something more than serious, similar a heart or lung problem.

When should I seek urgent medical help?

Telephone call 999 if yous experience:

• Chest hurting that is sudden or astringent and doesn't go abroad
• Sudden chest pain that is accompanied by airsickness, nausea, sweating, or shortness of breath
• Sudden chest pain that is accompanied by a loss of consciousness

If yous have chest pain that comes and goes, yous should still speak to your GP about it or call 111 – as breast hurting should never exist ignored.

Some people with astringent Covid-nineteen as well feel heart and circulatory issues during their illness.

• Read more most Covid-19 and your heart
• Read more nearly Covid-19 and claret clots

What type of breast pain do people get after Covid-19?

We are however learning more about chest hurting post-obit Covid-19, but it seems likely that it tin can be caused by a multifariousness of things.

Muscle pain or soreness (myalgia)

Severe viral infections, including Covid-19, can crusade muscle pain or soreness, which tin can be in a specific area or spread more than widely. The afflicted surface area feels sore to the touch and is made worse by specific movements such as turning the chest or stretching.

Non-specific chest pain

Non-specific chest hurting, which is also called non-cardiac breast pain, can be sharp or dull, and tin can happen in short bursts or be ongoing. It ofttimes doesn't have a cause that can exist found.

• Find more information virtually different types of chest pain on Your Covid Recovery from the NHS.

Is it normal to have back pain afterwards Covid?

While joint and muscle bug tin occur anywhere in the body during or after Covid-nineteen, back problems are among the most mutual. You may have had dorsum hurting at times before getting Covid-19, and if you were less active while you were ill, this could have made joint or muscle bug come dorsum, or get worse. Joint stiffness and musculus weakness is likewise likely to get worse if you weren't moving effectually as much when y'all were unwell.

In the weeks subsequently getting Covid-xix, some people have back anguish or a feeling or pins and needles. As you continue to recover, many of these symptoms may also meliorate. You can aim for a balance of rest with as much of your normal daily activeness you lot feel you lot tin can do, and also exercise to improve your force and flexibility, such as stretches or yoga.

When should I seek medical assist?

If your pain is astringent, and interfering with your daily activities, y'all can talk to your physician for advice, or if:

• your dorsum pain is getting worse
• fatigue or breathlessness is preventing y'all from being agile
• you develop new symptoms
• your joints and muscle issues oasis't improved later three months.

Find out more about how to manage joint and muscle problems on Your Covid Recovery from the NHS.

Why practise some people get palpitations, experience dizzy or faint after Covid?

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

At that place have been several case reports in medical journals of people who had standing symptoms following Covid-xix infection, and some were found to have PoTS. PoTs happens because your body's ways of fugitive a drop in blood force per unit area when you stand up up aren't working properly. Ordinarily when yous sit upwards or stand up, gravity makes some of your claret flow down, which tin can cause a autumn in blood force per unit area. Your torso responds to preclude a fall in blood pressure level by narrowing your claret vessels and slightly increasing your centre rate. But if you take PoTS these automatic changes don't happen. When you motion to an upright position the supply of claret to your centre and brain drops and your heart starts beating faster to compensate.

While there is no cure for PoTS, it tin can be managed by nutrition, exercise and medication, and the researchers say it is important to get an authentic diagnosis then patients can be treated and advised on how to manage their symptoms.

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

The Majestic College of Physicians (RCP) take published guidance for doctors that recognises orthostatic problems (including PoTS) as symptoms of long Covid. Orthostatic means relating to, or caused by, being upright.

The RCP recommend to doctors that patients experiencing breathlessness, palpitations, fatigue, chest pain and fainting should be checked carefully for orthostatic issues. This includes having an agile stand exam, which measures a patient'south changes in heart rate and claret pressure after moving from a lying to a standing position.

• Find out more about PoTS.

Tips for managing long Covid symptoms

Fatigue and breathlessness

• Pace yourself - program what you're going to do and don't over-exert yourself.
• Try to break tasks which feel difficult down into smaller chunks, and alternating easier and harder activities.
• Consider the all-time time of the solar day to practice certain activities based on your energy levels.
• Frequent brusk rests are meliorate than a few longer ones, so residue before yous become exhausted.
• Don't cease doing things that make you lot feel breathless. If y'all stop using your muscles, they'll become weaker, which can make you more breathless when you try to use them.
• Try to gradually increase the corporeality of practice you do. Try going for curt walks or doing elementary strength exercises and build up from there.
• If yous use a walking stick or a frame, lean frontward on it when you feel breathless.
• The ME Association has published a leaflet about post-Covid fatigue. Yous tin can also call them on 0344 576 5326 for farther support.

Boost your mood and mental health

•  Exist kind to yourself during your recovery – be prepared that some days will be worse than others
•  Connecting with other people can assistance you feel happier – make sure to proceed in touch with family and friends.
•  Having a daily routine tin be good for your mood and sense of stability.
•  Stay agile – continuing to movement volition help release endorphins and ameliorate your mood.

Tips for thinking or retention problems

• Make notes to help you recall things – whether it'south in work meetings or medical appointments.
• Try to reduce distractions.
• It can aid to make a clear plan before approaching any new or complicated problem or situation. Break it downwards into steps, and proceed checking your program as you follow it.

Relieving articulation or musculus pain

• Flexibility exercises (like stretches, yoga and tai chi) and strength exercises (similar climbing stairs, lifting weights and working with resistance bands) can be useful. Check with your dr. before starting a new do regime.

What tests and treatments are available?

Is there a examination for long Covid?

In that location isn't 1 unmarried test to diagnose long Covid. It'south a condition that isn't fully understood yet.

Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing lasting long Covid symptoms. They may refer y'all for tests to help sympathise how long Covid is affecting you lot and how information technology can be treated. Or it may even be that there is another cause for your symptoms.

Tests could include:

• blood tests
• heart charge per unit and blood force per unit area checks
• a sit-to-stand up exam
• an ECG
• a breast 10-ray

Researchers are looking into new means to test for long Covid.

• Find out more than well-nigh why researchers think findings about the immune arrangement could unlock the way to a exam for long Covid
• Learn almost a special MRI to better understand lung impairment from long Covid

Is at that place a handling for long Covid?

Unfortunately, there isn't one single handling or medication to care for long Covid.

Anybody's experience is different, and then it's important to chat to your GP almost the symptoms you are experiencing. They tin tell you how to best manage them, and let you lot know what other support is available.

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

There'south lots of things you lot can practise at dwelling house to manage your symptoms as you recover.

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

Vaccination and long Covid

Does getting vaccinated reduce the risk of long Covid?

Yes – at that place is lots of evidence that having the vaccine reduces your risk of developing long Covid.

In February 2022 the UK Health Security Bureau (UKHSA) published a review of 15 long Covid studies from the Britain and across the earth. They found that people who caught Covid after having two doses of Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Moderna, or one dose of the Janssen vaccine, were half as probable to develop lasting Covid symptoms (lasting 28 days or more from the original infection), compared to those who were unvaccinated, or just had one dose. The research also constitute a reduction in longer-term long Covid symptoms (up to six months). This review merely looked at people who caught Covid – given that vaccination also reduces your chance of catching Covid, the bodily reduction in long Covid adventure from the vaccine is significantly bigger.

Research from King's Higher 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 iv July 2021, likewise showed that fully vaccinated adults are much less likely to need infirmary treatment and tend to report milder Covid symptoms than those who are unvaccinated.

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

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

• See upwardly-to-date inquiry nigh the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine

Does getting vaccinated help if y'all 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. Nosotros are even so learning more about this and what the reasons for it might exist.

In the UKHSA evidence review, iii out of four studies looking at long Covid before and afterwards vaccination plant that more people reported an comeback in symptoms (either straight away or over several weeks) than people who were unvaccinated. Just at that place were a few people in all studies who found that their symptoms got worse.

In enquiry published in Oct 2021, the Office for National Statistics used data from the United kingdom Coronavirus Infection Survey to look at the association betwixt Covid-nineteen vaccination and long Covid in people who already had it before the vaccine.

In research published in October 2021, the Role 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. They found that the outset vaccine was associated with an initial 13% subtract in the likelihood of self-reported long Covid, although it's not clear from the data whether this was a lasting improvement or if symptoms returned after an initial comeback. The second dose was associated with nine% decrease in the likelihood of self-reported long Covid, relative to having received the first vaccination, and there was statistical bear witness of a sustained improvement later on this.

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

This type of study is observational, which means information technology can't prove crusade and effect. The written report was as well express in that it only followed people for an average of 67 days after the second vaccine, and not everyone in the written report had their second vaccine. So nosotros can't be certain from this that the Covid-xix vaccines help people with long Covid (although we do know that they reduce the risk of getting Covid over again). Over time, the quality and understanding of this information will amend and the conclusions and statistics generated will be more than definite.

Can children get long Covid?

Yep. The Part 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 nigh 13 per cent of children in the survey aged between ii and xi and 14.five per cent of children aged 12 to xvi reported certain symptoms including fatigue, cough, headache, musculus aches or loss of taste or odour v weeks later on falling ill with Covid-19. But it isn't articulate from the published data how many children these figures were based on.

The ONS also published data which showed that 1 in 10 secondary school pupils reported ongoing symptoms more than four weeks after a confirmed Covid-19 infection. A similar proportion of pupils who had a suspected (but non confirmed) Covid-19 infection besides reported that they had symptoms that lasted more than four weeks. The most common symptoms were "weakness/ tiredness", reported past well-nigh one-half of pupils who had lingering symptoms. Half dozen out of 10 pupils with long Covid symptoms said it limited their ability to carry out day to solar day activities. The information was based on a survey of 2,326 pupils in schools in England from 2-26 July 2021.

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

Common questions about long Covid

Who is most at risk of developing long Covid?

Researchers have analysed data from the COVID Symptom Written report app to find who is near 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 outset week of becoming sick with Covid-19) were more likely to develop long Covid.

They found that long Covid affects around 1 in x eighteen-49 twelvemonth-olds who get Covid-xix, increasing to just over one in 5 (22 per cent) people over 70. The researchers too institute people with asthma were also more probable to develop long Covid. This was the only clear link they constitute to existing health atmospheric condition in people who developed long Covid.

Researchers from University Hospital Zurich have backed up these findings. Their research besides establish that people with low levels of certain antibodies (IgM and IgG3) in their blood may be more probable to develop long Covid. When they combined this antibody information with the other factors (such equally the person's age, number of initial Covid symptoms, and history of asthma), they were meliorate able to predict who would proceed to have long Covid.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics on people with cocky-reported long Covid said it was most common among those aged 35-69, females, people living in the nearly deprived areas, those working in health or social care, or teaching and instruction, and people with another health status or disability. This study was based on 305,997 people who responded to the Coronavirus Infection Survey in the iv weeks to 2 January 2022.

Is long Covid contagious?

Long Covid is not contagious. Long Covid symptoms are acquired by your body'southward response to the virus continuing across the initial disease.

To avoid passing coronavirus on to others, you should self-isolate for x days from your original symptoms or positive exam, or if after x days y'all still accept a temperature, or runny nose or sneezing, or sickness or diarrhoea, until these symptoms take gone.

If I take long Covid, volition I test positive?

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

If you get a positive Covid exam issue it'southward near probable to be a new infection from the one that caused your long Covid symptoms. If you have a positive test, as always, you demand to self-isolate for x full days to avert passing it on. If subsequently 10 days you yet have a fever, or are feeling hot or shivery, or have a runny nose or sneezing, or are feeling or being sick, or take diarrhoea, you should self-isolate until those symptoms have gone. If any of these symptoms are lasting a long fourth dimension and you think they may be symptoms of long Covid, you lot can get another PCR test to see if yous still have an active infection.

What support tin can I get for long Covid?

• Long Covid clinics are being rolled out beyond England and have started in Wales to assist those struggling with ongoing symptoms. Speak to your GP or healthcare professional to find out if y'all are being referred. No similar services have yet been announced in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Your Covid Recovery has been fix by the NHS to provide information and back up to those who've had Covid and are nonetheless 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 exist referred for physiotherapy, or for psychological support such equally cerebral behavioural therapy (CBT).
• Always telephone call 999 if you lot have any emergency symptoms, such as sudden breast paint, or if you think you may be having a heart set on or stroke. Find out more information on when to become medical help.

What research is beingness done into long Covid?

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

Read stories from people with long Covid

If you lot're struggling with the ongoing symptoms of coronavirus, information technology can exist helpful to know you're non alone.

	A year of health issues: Suki's story "I found the simply way to get better is to stop and rest for as long as it takes." Read Suki'southward story
	Marking's ongoing battle with long Covid "Each day was like existence on a rollercoaster in the nighttime." ReadMark's story
	James'due south road to recovery "Things are going in the right direction. Now, my worst moments aren't as bad as the previous worst moments. I just take to exist patient." Read James's story
	Martin's feel of long Covid "Sometimes I just need a bit of time on my ain so I tin sit down, reverberate on what'due south happened, and try to deal with it." Read Martin's story

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

Our fortnightly Heart Matters newsletter includes the latest updates virtually coronavirus when yous take a heart status, equally well as support for healthy 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