About Long COVID
Long COVID is defined as a long-term condition that occurs after having COVID-19 and lasts for at least three months. Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing.
Each time a person gets COVID-19, there is a chance they may develop Long COVID. This is one major reason why prevention of COVID-19 is so important.
There is still much to learn about Long COVID. VDH will continue to update this webpage as we learn more.
Who is at Risk
Anyone who gets COVID-19 can get Long COVID, but it occurs more often in:
- People who’ve had severe COVID-19, including those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care
- People with underlying health conditions who are aged 65 and older
- Women
- Hispanic and Latino people
- People who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine
Symptoms & Other Health Effects
Long COVID affects people differently. People with Long COVID can have a wide variety of symptoms. They can last for weeks, months, or years after having COVID-19.
Below is a list of Long COVID symptoms that are most commonly reported. Please note this list does not include all possible symptoms of Long COVID.
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
- Headaches
- Loss of or changes in smell and/or taste
- Dizziness upon standing
- Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Joint or muscle pain
- Depression or anxiety
- Fever
Some of these symptoms can get worse after physical or mental activities.
Other Complications
Some people, especially those who’ve had severe COVID-19, can also experience new health conditions. These health conditions include diabetes, heart conditions, blood clots, or neurological conditions. If people already have certain health conditions, they can also become worse after a COVID-19 infection.
Diagnosis
Because people experience Long COVID in different ways, there is no one test to diagnose someone with Long COVID. A healthcare provider will look at different factors to determine if someone has Long COVID. This includes:
- Your health history
- If you ever tested positive for COVID-19, had symptoms of COVID-19, or were exposed to COVID-19
- A health examination, which may include other tests
Please note you do not have to have a positive COVID-19 test to get diagnosed with Long COVID.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for Long COVID. If you are having signs and symptoms of Long COVID, talk with a healthcare provider and get evaluated to determine if you have long COVID or another illness.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is currently enrolling people to participate in clinical trials that will study possible treatments for Long COVID through the RECOVER Initiative. People 18 years of age and older who are interested can enroll in these studies.www.recovercovid.org
Prevention
The best way to prevent Long COVID is to take measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 infection. This includes:
- Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. Research shows this is the best way to prevent Long COVID. Staying up to date also provides you protection against new variants. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
- Improving ventilation to bring fresh air indoors.
- Practicing good hygiene (covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often)
- When you have COVID-19:
- Staying home when sick and following recommendations to prevent spreading the virus to others
- Seeking treatment for COVID-19 if eligible. This can help prevent people with COVID-19 from becoming very sick
Getting Support for Long COVID
If you need support related to Long COVID, VDH’s Care Resource Coordination Program may be able to connect you to local resources. Support may include connecting you to healthcare, disability resources, food assistance, utilities assistance, and health insurance benefits. For more information, visit VDH’s Care Resource Coordination webpage.
Research Studies
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is currently enrolling people to participate in clinical trials that will evaluate four potential treatments for Long COVID through the RECOVER Initiative. People 18 years of age and older who are interested can enroll.
More Information and Resources
General Information
Support for People with Long COVID
- VDH Care Resource Coordination
- CDC Living with Long COVID
- CDC Long COVID Appointment Checklist [Spanish]
- HHS Guidance on Long COVID as a Disability
- Resources for People with Long COVID
Advocacy and Outreach
- COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project
- International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFSME)
Resources for Healthcare Providers
Guidance and Case Definition
- CDC: Clinical Overview of Long COVID
- CDC Science and the Public Health Approach to Long COVID
- American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Guidance
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM): A Long COVID Definition: A Chronic, Systemic Disease State with Profound Consequences
Provider Education
- Project ECHO- Long COVID and Fatiguing Illness Recovery Program
- Long COVID Education | University of California Health
Research
Disability Resources
- Long COVID: A Guide for Health Professionals on Providing Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability Claims
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM): Long-Term Health Effects of COVID-19: Disability and Function Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
- Directory of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Associations
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN): Practical Guidance for Medical Professionals