Long Covid: Basics
About Long COVID
- Long COVID is defined as a chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months
- Long COVID occurs more frequently in people with severe COVID-19, but it can happen to anyone who has been infected
- Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing.
- Symptoms can range from mild to severe and debilitating.
Note. Reinfection and Long COVID. You can be reinfected with SARS-CoV-2 multiple times, and each infection carries a risk of developing Long COVID. Symptoms can emerge, persist, resolve, and re-emerge over weeks and months.
Who’s Affected?
Long COVID can affect anyone who’s had COVID-19, including children. It’s more common in people who had severe COVID-19, but anyone can experience it.
- Most people with Long COVID experience symptoms days after first learning they had COVID-19, but some people who later develop Long COVID do not know when they were infected
- Each time a person is infected with SARS-CoV-2, they have a risk of developing Long COVID
- People can be reinfected with SARS-CoV-2 multiple times (and not get Long COVID)
- Symptoms and conditions can range from mild to severe, may require comprehensive care, and can even result in a disability.
Prevalence
Studies suggest that 5-10% of people who’ve had COVID-19 experience Long COVID symptoms at 3 months or later. Some people may never recover or go into remission.
Risk Factors
The strongest risk factors for Long COVID include:
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Severe COVID-19, especially if you’ve been hospitalised or needed intensive care
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Not being vaccinated against COVID-19
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Pre-existing health conditions
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Being female
Symptoms
Long COVID symptoms are non-specific and range from mild to severe and debilitating. They may improve, worsen, or persist over time. Symptoms are similar to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Diagnosis
There’s no single test for Long COVID. A diagnosis is based on symptoms and medical history. A positive SARS-CoV-2 test isn’t required for a Long COVID diagnosis.
Prevention
To protect yourself and others:
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Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations
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Practice good hygiene, like handwashing
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Use precautions to prevent spread when you have a respiratory virus
Vaccination and Long COVID
Research shows COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to prevent Long COVID, including in children.
Similar conditions
- Some people experiencing Long COVID symptoms have symptoms similar to those reported by people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and other poorly understood chronic illnesses that may occur after other infections
- Other viruses (e.g. EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) and flu) are well known ot cause CFSs
- Such unexplained symptoms or conditions may be falsely attributed to COVD-19, and are in fact due to other viruses.
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