What we know about long COVID

When symptoms of COVID-19 linger or return 4 weeks or longer after first infection, it's known as long COVID. About 1 in 13 people who get COVID-19 will develop long COVID. That’s about 7.5%. 1

Researchers are still studying what causes long COVID and why certain people get it and not others. Here at Ada, we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest findings. 

First, let’s review the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection. 

You’ve heard them many times by now, but the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are: 

• Fever or chills
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congested or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea 2

The list of possible long COVID symptoms is varied. The most common are:

• Extreme tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of smell
• Muscle aches

In addition to those key symptoms, you may also experience:

• Brain fog
• Chest pain or tightness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Pins and needles
• Joint pain
• Depression and anxiety
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or earaches
• Nausea, diarrhea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
• Rashes

Long COVID can be very distressing. Researchers are working hard to better understand the condition. Certain risk factors may influence the likelihood of developing long COVID. 

Certain groups may be at higher risk of developing long COVID. These include:

• People who have experienced severe illness with COVID-19
• People who have underlying conditions like diabetes, asthma, or immunosuppressive conditions
• People who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine
• People who experienced multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) after getting COVID-19.
• Females
• Older people 3

There's a lot of research in progress to help us understand long COVID. New findings are being discovered all the time. Here are some factors that may help to explain why some people get long COVID: 

• The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can damage organs and tissues directly if it remains inside cells.
• The virus may trigger a very severe immune reaction. While the immune system normally protects the body, a very strong immune response can damage cells instead.
• The virus may reactivate other viruses that have been dormant in the body. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mono or glandular fever, may be in the body but not cause symptoms until a person gets COVID-19. 
• SARS-CoV-2 may cause tiny blood clots to form in small blood vessels, which can impair oxygen flow in the body.
• If the virus damages lung cells, it may reduce the body’s ability to take in oxygen. 4

There are many more possibilities being uncovered about long COVID and why it impacts certain people more than others every day. Watch this space for updates.

If you think you may have long COVID, speak to a healthcare professional. The best way to prevent getting it is to avoid getting COVID-19. If you are eligible, get vaccinated and take all necessary precautions.

Getting better after long COVID takes time, but there are a few ways you can support your recovery:

1. Eat well
2. Sleep well
3. Get gentle exercise daily
4. Reduce demanding activities that drain your energy
5. Get mental health support from a professional and your community
6. Speak to a healthcare professional about treatment options

Take care of yourself,

Ada