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Long COVID refers to ongoing symptoms that continue or appear after a COVID‑19 infection. These symptoms can affect many parts of the body, vary widely from person to person, and may last for weeks or even months. While the exact cause is still being studied, most people do improve over time. Understanding Long COVID can help you recognise symptoms early, know when to seek support, and learn what you can do to protect your health and recovery.
DIFFERENT NAMES FOR LONG COVID
As COVID has been researched all around the world, different names have emerged for different stages of the virus. Like with most research, there are some differences between countries and research teams when discussing the same issue.
Now we have:
- Long COVID
- Post-COVID syndrome
- Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
- Post-COVID-19 condition or
- non-specific post-COVID viral symptoms.
Let’s use “Long COVID”.
WHAT COUNTS AS LONG COVID?
There is no one international definition or rule, but it usually means having symptoms that start within 3 months of the initial COVID infection, and last for at least two months. These symptoms must not be explained by another condition: for example, sometimes people can be diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure when they are unwell with COVID.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LONG COVID?
There are over 200 symptoms linked to Long COVID, as almost any part of the body can be affected. They can be mild to severe, be always there or only sometimes, and they can change. The most common ones are:
- General
- Fatigue, weakness, pain, hair loss, rash
- Lungs
- Shortness of breath, cough, chest pain
- Heart
- Heart palpitations, chest tightness, POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia)
- Nervous System
- Brain fog, forgetfulness, headaches, loss of taste/smell
- Digestive
- Constipation, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, reflux, IBS
- Muscles
- Pain, weakness
- Mental Health
- Anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties
- Other
- Kidney issues
WHY DOES LONG COVID HAPPEN?
Doctors and scientists don’t fully understand it yet, but they have some ideas.
Recent research suggests that it could be linked to:
- The virus staying in the body long after you have been infected
- The immune system not working normally after the infection, continuing to produce inflammation and/or attacking the body (autoimmunity)
- Other mechanisms such as the formation of tiny blood clots (microclots), dormant infections being reactivated, changes in the microbiome and metabolic changes
HAVE WE SEEN THIS BEFORE?
Yes! Long-lasting symptoms after infections are not only seen with COVID – they can also happen with other viruses like the flu (influenza) or any virus where you had what your doctor called ‘post-viral’ symptoms or even a ‘post-viral cough’ or ‘post-viral fatigue’. Other severe infections like pneumonia can also have long lasting effects.
DID COVID OR LONG COVID CAUSE MY ASTHMA?
While most research has focussed on the impact of COVID on asthma symptoms for people that already had asthma, some research is emerging looking at the possible onset of asthma following a COVID infection.
If you are experiencing asthma symptoms since having COVID, whether you have been diagnosed with asthma in the past or not, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can ensure you have the right diagnosis and the right treatment.
If you are newly diagnosed with asthma, guidelines recommend that most people should be prescribed an anti-inflammatory treatment, such as an anti-inflammatory reliever or preventer. This will help reduce the inflammation and sensitivity in your lungs. Talk to your doctor about if this treatment is right for you.
Find Out More About Asthma Diagnosis
HOW COMMON IS LONG COVID?
Research suggests:
- About 5-10% of people with confirmed COVID in Australia developed long-COVID in 2022 (when long-COVID was defined as having symptoms for more than 12 weeks)
- Worldwide, the World Health Organisation estimates that 6 in 100 people who have COVID get Long COVID
However, you may see lots of different estimates depending on the type of people who were studied, and the treatment they received.
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST LONG COVID?
Getting vaccinated against COVID can reduce the risk of Long COVID, particularly for people that have had two or more vaccinations.
Each time you get infected with COVID, you run the risk of getting Long COVID. So, measures like wearing a mask, washing hands and good ventilation are still important.
If you can protect yourself from getting COVID, then you protect yourself from Long COVID.
HOW IS LONG COVID TREATED?
Number one, symptoms need to be assessed by your doctor.
Any symptoms lasting longer than the original virus should be monitored to make sure the virus is not covering up something else going on in your body at the same time.
We can’t always assume that a particular symptom is caused by having COVID.
If you are not getting better after four weeks of having COVID and you are worried, speak to your doctor. Your doctor will likely make an assessment to see if your symptoms are caused by Long COVID or asthma, or something else.
There is no single treatment for Long COVID (yet). Some things that may help are:
- Self-care to look after your general health: this includes a healthy diet, staying hydrated, quitting smoking/vaping, reducing alcohol, practicing mindfulness and meditation
- Regular appointments with your doctor to talk about your symptoms and create a plan to monitor and manage them
- Getting a referral to specialty services where needed, e.g.
- Respiratory specialist (lung doctor)
- Cardiologist (heart doctor)
- Physiotherapist
- Psychologist
- Occupational therapist
- Dietitian
- various physical and mental health rehabilitation programs, such as exercise and education programs aligned to your condition and personal goals. This might include breath retraining exercises
- Some states have dedicated Long COVID clinics to help people manage their condition.
Check out our breath retraining exercises here
DO PEOPLE GET BETTER FROM LONG COVID?
Yes! Most people will improve over time, and many people recover fully within a year. Generally, people experience Long COVID symptoms for 4-9 months, but 1 in 7 people still experience symptoms after a year.
Everyone is different and everyone experiences symptoms differently.
WHAT CAN AFFECT LONG COVID RECOVERY?
- Rest, diet, lifestyle – just like any other illness
- Accurate, positive information can help ease worries and encourage healing
- Emotional health: it is normal to feel sad and worried about your situation, and managing your mental wellbeing is an important part of recovery
- Follow the three Ps: Pace (break activities into smaller tasks and rest often), Plan (spread activities over a longer period, ask for help where you can) and Prioritise (only do essential tasks)
- Return to work: talk to your employer about your workload, flexible arrangement and options to help your recovery
We know COVID can turn your life and health upside-down. For a free consult with an Asthma Educator, please call us on 1800ASTHMA (1800 278 462).
