Our Long COVID coaches and advocates are here to support you.
About Long COVID
Most people recover from COVID-19 within a few days to weeks after infection. However, some individuals experience persistent or new symptoms long after the initial infection, a condition known as Long COVID. This condition can affect anyone, regardless of the severity of their initial COVID-19 case. The vaccine can also cause Long COVID symptoms.
Long COVID can develop in individuals with a confirmed or probable history of COVID-19 infection or even from exposure to the spike protein in the vaccine. It manifests as a broad spectrum of new, returning, or ongoing health issues.
Long COVID is characterized by symptoms and health conditions that persist or emerge days to weeks after initial exposure and continue for at least two months.
No two cases look the same…
Long COVID is not one set of symptoms or diagnoses. People report a different set of symptoms or even just one organ system that is affected.
Many people find themselves questioning whether they have long COVID because they are dealing with persistent symptoms but can still manage to get through their usual routines, but not as easily as before their infection. The answer is yes, they could have it, regardless of the severity of infection, their age, or their previous health status.
You do not have to display debilitating or life-altering symptoms for your condition to be considered long COVID. While not fully understood yet, mild or severe long COVID symptoms should not be dismissed at the risk of more severe health issues developing.
There is no one medication or therapy that can be recommended. The best option is to seek care with your primary care physicians, functional medicine doctors, or with multi-disciplinary long COVID clinics if you have access to one.
Long COVID Symptoms Checklist
Use this anonymous checklist if you are unsure whether you have Long COVID or to monitor your symptoms.
What You Need to Know
Long COVID is a real illness and can result in chronic conditions that require comprehensive care.
Long COVID can include a wide range of ongoing health problems; these conditions can be temporary or permanent, and may last weeks, months, or years.
Long COVID occurs more often in people who had severe COVID-19 illness, but anyone who has been infected with the virus or exposed to the spike protein in the vaccine can experience it.
COVID-19 is classified as a neurotropic virus, indicating its capability to impact the nervous system and brain, a condition termed Neuro COVID.
People can be reinfected with COVID-19 multiple times regardless of vaccination status. Each time a person is infected or reinfected with SARS-CoV-2, they have a risk of developing Long COVID or experiencing worse Long COVID.
In some cases, a person with Long COVID may not have tested positive for the virus or known they were infected.
Classic Features
A cluster of new symptoms or conditions that may seem random and unrelated that you didn’t have before exposure to the virus or vaccine.
May affect any organ or body part.
Symptoms that persist longer than 4 weeks after the infection or exposure.
New symptoms or health issues that develop weeks, months or years after the infection or exposure.
Can affect anyone regardless of age, health status, or severity of illness.
Long COVID Development
The initial event of Long COVID is caused by immune system disruption leading to inflammation of organs and tissues. If not addressed, it can lead to more complex health issues such as Neuro COVID, organ failure, and/or dysautonomia. It can also compromise the regulatory systems of the brain and body, as well as the immune system. This is why early diagnosis and early intervention is important!
Neuro COVID
Long COVID can evolve into a condition affecting the nervous system, referred to as "Neuro COVID." This transition involves a range of neurological symptoms and complications that arise after the acute phase of the COVID-19 infection. Neuro COVID can develop through a combination of direct viral effects, immune-mediated damage, vascular injury, and hypoxia. Recognizing and addressing these neurological complications is crucial for the comprehensive care of long-haul COVID-19 patients.
Common Neuro COVID Symptoms
Studies have shown that neurological complications are common among long-haul COVID-19 patients, including cognitive deficits and neuropathic pain, and that persistent neurological symptoms can occur even in patients who had mild or asymptomatic initial infections.
Diagnosis & Treatment
People with these unexplained symptoms may be misunderstood by their healthcare providers, which can result in a delay in diagnosis and receiving the appropriate care or treatment.
Diagnosing Long COVID or Neuro COVID can be complex and involves a thorough review of the patient's medical history, COVID-19 test results, vaccination history, symptoms, potential exposure, and a comprehensive health examination. This requires ruling out other potential causes of symptoms through medical evaluation and tests.
People with Long COVID may develop or continue to have symptoms that are hard to explain and manage. Clinical evaluations and results of routine blood tests, electrocardiograms, or chest X-rays may be normal. The symptoms are similar to those reported for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and other poorly understood chronic illnesses that may occur after other infections.
Managing Neuro COVID involves a multidisciplinary approach, including:
Neurological Evaluation: Thorough assessment by neurologists to diagnose and monitor neurological symptoms.
Symptomatic Treatment: Medications and therapies to manage specific symptoms like pain, headaches, and mood disorders.
Rehabilitation: Cognitive rehabilitation and physical therapy to help regain function and improve quality of life.
Psychological Support: Counseling and mental health support to address mood disorders and stress related to chronic illness.
Long COVID Support
Our Long COVID Coaches and Advocates are here to support you on this journey from documenting your symptoms to helping you find resources for recovery and symptom management.