How Long Can Brain Fog Last in Individuals with Long COVID?

Reviewed by Suo Lee, MD

Internal Medicine

Brain fog from long COVID can last from several weeks to many months, and it can vary a lot from one person to another.

Explanation

Research shows that brain fog—trouble thinking clearly or remembering things—can be a long-lasting problem after COVID-19. Some studies found that people may notice these symptoms for a few weeks after they get sick, while others report brain fog that lasts for many months. For example, some individuals recovered from the virus quickly, but others experience ongoing problems with memory and concentration that can continue long after the infection. Researchers believe that how long a person has brain fog depends on many factors such as the body’s immune response, how the brain heals, and individual differences. This means that one person might start feeling better after a couple of months, while another could have symptoms that affect their daily life for a longer time. Doctors are still studying brain fog to understand it better and to help people manage these symptoms. If you or someone you know is dealing with long-lasting brain fog, it is important to talk with a healthcare provider who can help find ways to support recovery.

(References)

Asadi-Pooya AA, Akbari A, Emami A, Lotfi M, Rostamihosseinkhani M, Nemati H, Barzegar Z, Kabiri M, Zeraatpisheh Z, Farjoud-Kouhanjani M, Jafari A, Sasannia S, Ashrafi S, Nazeri M, Nasiri S, Shahisavandi M. Long COVID syndrome-associated brain fog. J Med Virol. 2022 Mar;94(3):979-984. doi: 10.1002/jmv.27404. Epub 2021 Oct 24. PMID: 34672377; PMCID: PMC8662118.
Shigematsu L, Kimura R, Terai H, Mimura Y, Ito D, Bun S, Namkoong H, Asakura T, Chubachi S, Masaki K, Ohgino K, Miyata J, Kawada I, Ishii M, Takemura R, Ueda S, Yoshiyama T, Kokuto H, Kusumoto T, Oashi A, Miyawaki M, Saito F, Tani T, Ishioka K, Takahashi S, Nakamura M, Sato Y, Fukunaga K. Social impact of brain fog and analysis of risk factors: Long COVID in Japanese population. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2024 Aug;11(8):2188-2200. doi: 10.1002/acn3.52139. Epub 2024 Jul 4. PMID: 38961833; PMCID: PMC11330230.
Sfera A, Rahman L, Zapata-Martín Del Campo CM, Kozlakidis Z. Long COVID as a Tauopathy: Of "Brain Fog" and "Fusogen Storms". Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug 10;24(16):12648. doi: 10.3390/ijms241612648. PMID: 37628830; PMCID: PMC10454863.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Brain fog

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

Try our AI-based symptom checker

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get a free AI-powered report on possible causes

Tips to try:

Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.