Department Resources

Long COVID

What you need to know

Long COVID is a serious illness that can result in chronic conditions requiring comprehensive care.
Long COVID can include a wide range of ongoing symptoms and conditions that can last weeks, months, or even years after COVID-19 illness.
Anyone who had a SARS-CoV-2 infection (the virus that causes COVID-19), can experience Long COVID, including children.
COVID-19 vaccination is the best available tool to prevent Long COVID.
Living with Long COVID can be difficult and isolating, especially when there are no immediate answers or solutions.
Each time a person gets COVID-19, there is a chance they may develop Long COVID.

About Long COVID

Some people who have had COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection. This is known as post-COVID conditions or long COVID. People call post-COVID conditions by many names, including: Long COVID, long-haul COVID, long-term effects of COVID, and chronic COVID.

Long COVID is a a chronic condition that occurs after a COVID-19 infection and lasts for at least 3 months. Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing. Learn more about how long COVID is defined.

There is no test that determines if your symptoms or condition is due to COVID-19. Long COVID is not one illness and is different from person to person. Your healthcare provider considers a diagnosis of post-COVID conditions based on your health history, if you had a diagnosis of COVID-19 either by a positive test or by symptoms or exposure, as well as doing a health examination.

Scientists are working to better understand post-COVID conditions and how many people experience them. Estimates of the proportion of people who have long COVID vary.

Who is More Likely to Develop Long COVID

Researchers are working to understand which people or groups of people are more likely than others to get long COVID, and why. While anyone who gets COVID-19 can develop Long COVID, studies have shown that some groups of people are more likely to develop Long COVID than others,

People who did not get a COVID-19 vaccine
Women
Hispanic and Latino people
People who have experienced more severe COVID-19 illness, especially those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care
People with underlying health conditions and adults who are 65 or older

Scientists are researching some health inequities that may place these communities at higher risk of both getting infected or developing post-COVID conditions.

How to Prevent Long COVID

The best way to prevent long COVID is to protect yourself and others from becoming infected. Preventing severe outcomes from COVID-19 illness helps prevent Long COVID.

The CDC recommends staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination, practicing good hygiene, and taking steps for cleaner air. CDC also recommends when you may have a respiratory virus, taking steps to prevent spreading the virus and getting healthcare promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.

Find out if you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines
Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you at vaccines.gov.
Learn more about preventing respiratory viruses.

Symptoms

People with long COVID can have a wide range of symptoms that can last weeks, months, or even years after infection. Post-COVID conditions may not affect everyone the same way. Some people with Long COVID have symptoms that are hard to explain or difficult to manage.

People with long COVID may experience health problems from different types and combinations of symptoms happening over different lengths of time. Sometimes the symptoms can even go away or come back again.

Fatigue, brain fog, and post-exertional malaise (PEM) are commonly reported symptoms, but more than 200 Long COVID symptoms have been identified. Other commonly reported symptoms include (not a comprehensive list):

General symptoms

Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort
Fever

Respiratory and heart symptoms

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Coughing
Chest pain
Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)

Digestive symptoms

Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Constipation

Neurological symptoms

Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
Headache
Sleep problems
Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
Pins-and-needles feelings
Change in smell or taste
Depression or anxiety

Other symptoms

Joint or muscle pain
Rash
Changes in menstrual cycles

Learn more about symptoms.

Long COVID can sometimes result in disability. Learn more: Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA.

Living with Long COVID

Experiencing or caring for someone with Long COVID can be confusing, challenging, and frustrating — especially when there are no immediate answers or solutions.

Learn more and find resources to help you live with or care for someone with Long COVID.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you have, or your child has, Long COVID. Your healthcare provider can help you come up with a personal medical management plan that can help improve their symptoms and quality of life. Preparing for an appointment can make all the difference in getting the proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

To help get the most out of appointments, scroll through the information from the CDC below. You can also download a printable Healthcare Appointment Checklist.

Preparing Before an Appointment

List Your Healthcare Providers. If visiting a new healthcare provider, ask the new provider’s office if they need paperwork signed so your medical records can be sent to them directly.
Write down your health history. Prepare a journal or list describing all of your past or current symptoms, how they have affected your daily activities, and anything that made them feel better or worse.
List your current medications. Make a list of medications and supplements you are currently taking.
Write down questions for your healthcare provider. Think about and make a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider. Identify which questions are a priority for you (in case time is limited).
Talk to a family member or friend. Consider discussing your appointment with a family member or friend to assist with transportation or help remember your conversation with your healthcare provider.
Know what to expect. Your provider could be a doctor or other type of healthcare professional and may ask questions and run or order tests to determine a diagnosis and plan for treatment. It may take more than one appointment to evaluate and diagnose your Long COVID symptoms.

During Your Appointment

Bring/share your health history. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about how your symptoms have changed over time and how they have affected your daily activities.
Bring/share your list of medications and supplements. Be ready to discuss whether any of your medications or supplements have helped you feel better.
Bring/share your list of questions. Bring your list of prepared questions to your healthcare provider. Ask your most important questions first (in case time is limited).
Know your next steps. Carefully listen to and answer all of your provider’s questions. Make sure you understand the next steps, such as tests, follow-up, referrals, and future appointments.
Ask for a summary. Ask for an appointment summary. If needed, ask your provider to write down, print out, or email

After Your Appointment

Track your appointments. Make appointments for follow-ups with your provider, referred specialists, or diagnostic testing facilities. Record the appointments and tests in both your calendar and your caregivers’ calendar.
Work with your healthcare provider and seek support. Contact your provider’s office with any additional questions or clarifications and follow your provider’s instructions to the best of your ability. Reach out to recommended support groups.
Document your experiences. Continue to record and update your symptoms, conditions, and medication list, so you can refer to updates or changes during your next appointment

Health Department

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Department Resources

Long COVID

What you need to know

About Long COVID

Who is More Likely to Develop Long COVID

How to Prevent Long COVID

Symptoms

Living with Long COVID

Resources

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