Health advice

Long COVID

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Long COVID is a condition that affects people long after being infected with COVID. Read more to learn what may have caused long COVID and how to support people with long COVID.


What is long covid?

Research from the National Institute for Health Research suggested that long COVID may be made up of different syndromes, including:

  • Post-intensive care syndrome
  • Post-viral fatigue syndrome
  • Long-term covid syndrome.1

People who have experienced long COVID reported friends, family and health professionals doubted their symptoms. They also felt frustrated by a lack of support, likely due to limited understanding about the long-term effects of coronavirus.1

To build trust and get better health outcomes for patients, it’s important to show compassion and acknowledge that experiences of long COVID symptoms are real.

You can find out more about recovering from coronavirus, including information for carers, family and friends on the NHS Your COVID Recovery website.

References
  1. NIHR. Living with Covid19. NIHR Evidence. doi:10.3310/themedreview_41169

Published: June 2022

Next review: June 2025

Reviewer: Mital Thakrar, Pharmacist

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