Long COVID
Long COVID is also known as post-COVID conditions (PCC), post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), and other terms. Long COVID consists of a variety of symptoms that can last for weeks, months, or years after being infected with the SARS-CoV-2, virus that causes COVID-19.
Long COVID can happen to anyone who has had COVID-19, even if their illness was mild, or even if they had no symptoms when they were infected. People with long COVID may report combinations of different symptoms. Please note that the list below is not an all-inclusive list of symptoms that have been reported by patients with Long COVID.
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
- Headache
- Loss of smell or taste (or an altered sense of taste or smell)
- 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
Certain groups of people are at increased risk of developing Long COVID after having COVID-19. They include:
- People who had severe COVID-19 illness such as those who needed to be hospitalized
- People with underlying health conditions such as obesity, asthma, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases
- People who did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine
For more information on Long COVID:
Take measures to protect yourself from COVID-19 infection:
- At this time, it appears that the most effective preventive measure against Long COVID is to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, to help protect against getting COVID-19.
- Vaccination has been shown to help prevent severe COVID-19 illness. People with severe COVID-19 disease are at increased risk of developing Long COVID.
- CDC notes that COVID-19 immunizations can reduce a person’s chance of developing Long COVID by about 30%.
- Take other measures to help prevent contracting COVID-19 infection:
- This includes improving ventilation, avoiding contact with people with COVID-19, and following recommendations when you're sick with COVID-19.
- If you get COVID-19, get treatment right away if eligible. This can help prevent severe COVID-19 illness, which can increase the risk of Long COVID.
Although many possible Long COVID treatments are being studied, no specific drug, vaccine, or other treatment has been shown to “cure” Long COVID. Moreover, there is no drug that is currently FDA-authorized or FDA-approved for the treatment of Long COVID.
However, as noted by CDC, “people experiencing post-COVID conditions can seek care from a healthcare provider to come up with a personal medical management plan that can help improve their symptoms and quality of life.” Additional information can be found on CDC’s Long COVID Basics website.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is currently enrolling people to participate in clinical trials that will evaluate potential treatments for Long COVID through the RECOVER Initiative. People 18 years of age and older who are interested in learning more about these trials can visit www.recovercovid.org.
Long COVID can be diagnosed and managed by primary care providers or other medical providers who specialize in diagnosing/treating this condition. If needed, specialty care providers and support services (for example, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work) can work with people with this condition to help them rehabilitate and regain their strength and abilities.
Use CDC’s Healthcare Appointment Checklist for Long COVID to help prepare for your Long COVID appointment.
If you need support in accessing care for Long COVID, you can request support from VDH Care Resource Coordination.
Additional resources for Long COVID patients include: