Long Lasting COVID-19 Symptoms & Treatment
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Over the two years of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, everyone has known someone who has tested positive, or has tested positive themselves. As we continue to recover from COVID-19 in our world, we continue to learn more about the long-term side effects and the characteristics of post-COVID-19 ― what is also known as long-haulers syndrome.
Post-COVID syndrome, also known as long-haul COVID-19 or long COVID-19, involves a wide range of health problems that occur for many weeks, months and years after recovering from COVID-19. Most experts agree that long-haul COVID-19 is not rare and occurs in at least 10%–20% of people who have had COVID-19.
"This is a condition that is not rare and something that all of us in medicine have been seeing very frequently," says Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, a Mayo Clinic occupational medicine specialist. "We are now more than two years out working with this condition. And we have seen individuals who have had symptoms for a year and a half or two years after their infection. So, it does really seem appropriate — this name 'long-haul,' unfortunately."
Six Symptoms of Long-Haulers Syndrome
In a recent Mayo Clinic Minute, experts identified six main symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle ache or pain
- Low blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Headache
The two most common symptoms are shortness of breath and fatigue. Other symptoms can include dizziness, a rapid heart rate and "brain fog," or the inability to think clearly.
Other Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms:
- Memory, concentration or sleep problems
- Worsened symptoms after physical or mental activities
- Dizziness when you stand
- Loss of smell or taste
- Joint pain
Cases of long-haul COVID-19 and other post COVID-19 side effects aren't necessarily associated with having severe COVID-19 illness. For most people, they only had a mild illness. They didn't have to go to the hospital, the ER (emergency room) or even their primary care provider.
Researchers are making headway in better understanding long-haul COVID-19 and treating it with rehabilitation services, including occupational and physical therapy. Getting treatment earlier is better. If you're still having symptoms two or three weeks after recovering from COVID-19, contact your primary health care provider.
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As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Altru Health System has access to Mayo Clinic knowledge, resources and expertise. This includes collaborating with Mayo Clinic specialists on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.
