Long COVID information and resources
Long COVID information and resources
What is Long COVID?
Post COVID Syndrome or Long COVID, is defined by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence as
“Signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.”
There are many signs and symptoms that can be attributed to Long COVID, these can vary significantly from person to person and the severity of which can fluctuate over time. They can include but are not limited to :
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle and joint pain
- Difficulty concentrating/memory loss/confusion (brain fog)
- Loss of smell or taste
- Headache
- Changes in sleep/difficulty sleeping
- Worry/anxiety
- Fast heart rate
You may find that your symptoms impact on your day-to-day activities, including the ability to work, resulting in a reduced quality of life. It is important that you get the support you need.
We would encourage anyone who suspects they have Long COVID to visit their GP to be assessed.
Your GP will undertake a range of tests to see if your symptoms can be explained by any other illnesses or conditions.
What should I do if I think I have Long COVID?
We would encourage anyone who suspects they have Long COVID to visit their GP to be assessed.
Your GP will undertake a range of tests to see if your symptoms can be explained by any other illnesses or conditions.
Dependent upon these results, you might be offered medication or be referred to a specialist for further investigation.
If your test results come back normal, know that this is very common for Long COVID patients and does not mean that you are making up your symptoms.
You may wish to use the self-management tools, educational videos and patient stories on this page to help you navigate your recovery journey.