It's important to note that long COVID symptoms can fluctuate in severity and may come and go. These symptoms can significantly affect a person's quality of life and daily functioning. Individuals experiencing persistent symptoms should seek medical evaluation and support. Healthcare providers may recommend various treatments and therapies to address specific symptoms, and a multidisciplinary approach may be necessary to manage the complex and diverse symptoms associated with long COVID.
Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), refers to a range of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection has resolved. These symptoms can affect various systems of the body and may vary from person to person. Here is some general information about the symptoms of long COVID:
Fatigue: Persistent and overwhelming fatigue is one of the hallmark symptoms of long COVID. Individuals may experience extreme tiredness, even with minimal physical or mental exertion.
Shortness of Breath: Many long COVID patients report ongoing respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, even if they did not have severe respiratory issues during their initial COVID-19 infection.
Cognitive Issues: Cognitive symptoms, often referred to as "brain fog," can include problems with concentration, memory, memory encoding (learning) and mental clarity. Some individuals may have difficulty organising thoughts or processing information.
Joint and Muscle Pain: Long COVID can lead to persistent joint and muscle pain, similar to the symptoms of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chest Pain: Some individuals experience chest pain or discomfort, which may not be related to heart problems but can be distressing.
Headaches: Recurrent headaches, including migraines, are common in long COVID patients.
Loss of Smell and Taste: Anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) may persist long after the initial infection has cleared.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Digestive issues such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain can continue in some individuals.
Heart Palpitations: Heart palpitations and an increased heart rate may be ongoing symptoms, although cardiac tests often appear normal.
Skin Rashes and Hair Loss: Skin problems and hair loss have been reported as persistent issues in some long COVID cases.
Sleep Disturbances: Sleep problems, including insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns, can be part of long COVID.
Mood and personality Changes: Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are common in long COVID patients, possibly due to the impact of ongoing symptoms on mental health.
Post-Exertional Malaise: Physical or mental exertion can lead to a severe worsening of symptoms, known as post-exertional malaise (PEM).
Shortness of Breath: Many long COVID patients report ongoing respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, even if they did not have severe respiratory issues during their initial COVID-19 infection.
Cognitive Issues: Cognitive symptoms, often referred to as "brain fog," can include problems with concentration, memory, memory encoding (learning) and mental clarity. Some individuals may have difficulty organising thoughts or processing information.
Joint and Muscle Pain: Long COVID can lead to persistent joint and muscle pain, similar to the symptoms of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chest Pain: Some individuals experience chest pain or discomfort, which may not be related to heart problems but can be distressing.
Headaches: Recurrent headaches, including migraines, are common in long COVID patients.
Loss of Smell and Taste: Anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) may persist long after the initial infection has cleared.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Digestive issues such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain can continue in some individuals.
Heart Palpitations: Heart palpitations and an increased heart rate may be ongoing symptoms, although cardiac tests often appear normal.
Skin Rashes and Hair Loss: Skin problems and hair loss have been reported as persistent issues in some long COVID cases.
Sleep Disturbances: Sleep problems, including insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns, can be part of long COVID.
Mood and personality Changes: Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are common in long COVID patients, possibly due to the impact of ongoing symptoms on mental health.
Post-Exertional Malaise: Physical or mental exertion can lead to a severe worsening of symptoms, known as post-exertional malaise (PEM).
Chest pain
ADHD-like symptoms.
Paroxysmal hemicrania
Paresthesia
Visual snow
Itching
Tingling in hands
After image of light
Light sensitivity
Slight flashing in bottom corners of eyes (despite eye tests returning normal)
Tinnitus
DPDR
Red splotches on fingers and elbows
Difficulty reading
Erectile dysfunction
Numbness in one half of the face or body