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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Long Covid is defined as "a range of symptoms that continue for weeks or months after the acute phase of COVID-19." These symptoms may include fatigue, breathing difficulties, joint pain, brain fog, loss of taste and smell, depression, and anxiety.

Long Covid is a medical condition where patients continue to experience symptoms related to COVID-19 for an extended period, even after the acute infection has passed. These symptoms can vary greatly among patients and can significantly impact quality of life, with some patients reporting symptoms lasting over a year.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Long Covid can vary greatly from person to person, but some of the most common include:

• Fatigue: One of the most common symptoms, which can be extremely debilitating and last for months.
• Breathing difficulties: Some people with Long Covid may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, even with light physical activity.
• Muscle and joint pain: Long Covid can cause muscle and joint pain, which can be acute or chronic.
• Brain fog: Many people with Long Covid report feelings of mental confusion, difficulty concentrating, or memory problems.
• Loss of taste and smell: This symptom, common in acute COVID-19, can persist during Long Covid.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
• Depression and anxiety: COVID-19 and Long Covid can cause symptoms of depression and anxiety, which may be related to the disease itself or the challenges of coping with its consequences.

For a real-time updated report on symptoms reported by association members, access the group dashboard by clicking here.

Specifics

Some specific characteristics of Long Covid include:

• Duration of symptoms: Long Covid symptoms can persist for months after acute COVID-19, with some patients reporting symptoms lasting over a year.
• Incidence in asymptomatic or mild cases: Long Covid can affect both patients who had mild symptoms of COVID-19 and those who had no symptoms during the acute infection.
• Symptom variability: Symptoms can vary greatly among patients and can also fluctuate within the same patient over time.
• Impact on work and daily life: Long Covid symptoms can significantly affect patients' ability to work and perform daily activities, with some facing long-term disability or extended periods off work.
• Lack of response to conventional treatments: Many Long Covid patients do not respond to conventional treatments and may require multidisciplinary healthcare to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Possible involvement of multiple organs: Some patients may develop symptoms affecting various organs, such as the heart, lungs, nervous system, and gastrointestinal system.

It is important to note that the scientific community is still trying to fully understand the characteristics of Long Covid and the underlying causes of the symptoms.

Who is Affected?

Long Covid can affect anyone who has contracted COVID-19, regardless of the severity of their symptoms during the acute infection. According to various studies, certain categories of people appear to be at higher risk of developing Long Covid, including:

• Older age: Research suggests that people over 50 may be at higher risk of developing Long Covid.
• Female gender: Many studies have reported that women are at higher risk of developing Long Covid compared to men.
• Severity of acute infection: Patients who had more severe symptoms during the acute infection, such as those who were hospitalized or needed mechanical ventilation, may be at higher risk of developing Long Covid.
• Comorbidities: People with other health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or respiratory problems, may be at higher risk of developing Long Covid.
• Duration of acute infection: Some studies suggest that the duration of the acute COVID-19 infection may be related to the risk of developing Long Covid.

Long Covid is a relatively new condition, and new information may emerge in the future that could add more categories of people at risk.

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