Long COVID

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Long COVID
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Fatigue, dyspnea, cognitive dysfunction, chest pain, joint pain, headache, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression
Complications	Organ damage, chronic fatigue syndrome, dysautonomia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
Onset	Typically within 3 months of acute COVID-19 infection
Duration	Weeks to months, potentially longer
Types	N/A
Causes	SARS-CoV-2 infection
Risks	SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, comorbidities
Diagnosis	Based on clinical history and symptomatology
Differential diagnosis	Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety disorders
Prevention	COVID-19 vaccination, public health measures
Treatment	Symptomatic treatment, rehabilitation, multidisciplinary care
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable; some recover fully, others have persistent symptoms
Frequency	Estimated 10-30% of COVID-19 cases
Deaths	Rare, but can contribute to mortality in severe cases

Long COVID is a term used to describe the effects of COVID-19 that continue for weeks or even months beyond the initial illness. The condition is also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Long COVID can vary widely, but often include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Joint pain
• Chest pain
• Memory, concentration, or sleep problems
• Muscle pain or headache
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Loss of smell or taste
• Depression or anxiety
• Fever
• Dizziness on standing

Causes

The exact cause of Long COVID is not yet known. It is thought to be related to the body's immune response to the virus. Some people may have an ongoing immune response, which continues to cause symptoms even after the virus has been cleared from the body.

Treatment

Treatment for Long COVID is focused on managing symptoms. This may include:

• Physical therapy or exercise to improve strength and endurance
• Medication to manage symptoms such as pain, fever, and cough
• Mental health support to manage symptoms such as depression and anxiety
• Sleep hygiene practices to improve sleep quality

Research

Research into Long COVID is ongoing. Scientists are working to understand why some people have long-term symptoms, while others recover more quickly. They are also studying potential treatments and interventions to help those affected by Long COVID.

Long COVID images

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  Long-term effects of COVID-19

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  Long COVID possible causes

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  Center for Post-COVID Care

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  Statista long COVID

See also

• COVID-19
• Post-viral syndrome
• Chronic fatigue syndrome

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