Long COVID Service
Last updated: Tuesday 17 September 2024General introduction
The Long COVID Service is a specialist with expertise for in treating people with symptoms of Long COVID.
Most infections with COVID resolve within the first four weeks. 'Long COVID' is an informal term that is used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after an acute infection of COVID.
Depending on how long you have ongoing symptoms for, it can be called one of two things:
Ongoing symptomatic COVID - This is where your symptoms continue for more than four weeks. If your symptoms last for longer than 12 weeks, it will then be called;
Post-COVID Syndrome - This is where your ongoing symptoms continue for longer than 12 weeks and cannot be explained by any other condition. Symptoms of Long COVID can be many and varied and can change over time. The most commonly reported symptoms include (but are not limited to):
- breathlessness
- cough
- chest tightness
- chest pain
- palpitations
- fatigue
- fever
- pain
- cognitive impairment ('brain fog', loss of concentration or memory issues)
- headache
- sleep disturbance
- pins and needles or numbness
- dizziness
- delirium (in older people)
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- anorexia and reduced appetite (in older people)
- weight loss
- joint pain
- muscle pain
- symptoms of depression
- symptoms of anxiety
- tinnitus
- earache
- sore throat
- loss of taste and / or smell
- skin rashes
Some people who have been infected with COVID have no or minimal symptoms. Many will have short-lasting symptoms (fever, cough, change in smell and muscle aches amongst others) from which they recover after a few days or up to four weeks. However, everybody recovers at different rates, and some people will experience longer-lasting symptoms.
For mild new symptoms call your GP, but if you’re worried or unsure remember you can always use the NHS 111 online service, or call 111.