Are my symptoms "long COVID" and how would I know?

Are my symptoms “long COVID” and how would I know?

What is “long COVID”?
Long COVID (also called post-COVID-19 condition) describes a range of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. While most people recover within 2–4 weeks, around 10–30% report new, returning or ongoing health issues beyond 4 weeks.

Why does it happen?
• Ongoing inflammation or immune activation
• Viral remnants in the body
• Damage to blood vessels, nerves or organs during acute illness
• Psychological stress from severe illness or hospitalization

How long before it becomes “long COVID”?
• 4–12 weeks after your first symptoms: subacute or ongoing symptomatic COVID-19
• Beyond 12 weeks: post-COVID-19 syndrome (commonly called “long COVID”)

Common long COVID symptoms
A systematic review (Lopez-Leon et al., 2021) identified more than 50 persistent symptoms. The most frequent include:
• Extreme fatigue or post-exertional malaise
• Shortness of breath or chest tightness
• “Brain fog”: difficulty concentrating, memory lapses
• Joint and muscle pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Headaches
• Persistent cough
• Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
• Anxiety, depression or mood swings
• Loss of smell or taste (anosmia, ageusia)
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Gastrointestinal issues: nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Hair loss

Less common but reported issues:
• Blood clotting problems
• Skin rashes or “COVID toes”
• Tinnitus or ear pain
• Low-grade fevers
• Kidney or liver function abnormalities

Recognizing long COVID in yourself

1. Timeline of symptoms
   – Did symptoms last beyond 4 weeks from illness onset?
   – Did new symptoms appear weeks after recovering from the acute phase?
2. Symptom pattern
   – Are you experiencing more than one persistent symptom from the common list above?
   – Do symptoms fluctuate, worsen after physical or mental effort?
3. Impact on daily life
   – Are you unable to return to your normal work, exercise or household activities?
   – Do you feel pushed to your limits by minimal effort?
4. Rule out other conditions
   – Could symptoms be explained by anemia, thyroid disease, heart or lung problems, mental health issues?
   – Have basic labs (CBC, thyroid, kidney/liver tests) and imaging (chest X-ray, ECG) been checked?

What to do next
• Talk with your primary care provider. A careful history and exam help rule out other causes (e.g., cardiac or lung disease).
• Consider basic blood tests:
– Complete blood count, thyroid panel, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR)
– Liver and kidney function tests (some people show mild liver enzyme elevations; persistent abnormalities may need further work-up following guidelines for non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis: Castera et al., 2008; Tsochatzis et al., 2014).
• Functional assessments: walking tests, breathing tests (spirometry) or even a 6-minute walk test.
• Mental health screening for anxiety, depression or PTSD.

Self-assessment tool
You might consider doing a free, online symptom check for COVID-19 to help organize your concerns and decide on next steps.

Managing long COVID
Currently there’s no single cure. Treatment focuses on:
• Symptom relief (e.g., pain management, sleep support)
• Graded return to activity—balance rest and gentle exercise to avoid post-exertional setbacks
• Respiratory physiotherapy for breathing difficulties
• Cognitive rehabilitation for memory or attention problems
• Mental health support: counseling, mindfulness or medications when needed
• Nutritional support and hydration

When to seek urgent help
Contact emergency services or go to the hospital if you experience:
• Severe chest pain or pressure
• Sudden shortness of breath at rest
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• New confusion or inability to stay awake
• Signs of blood clot (sudden leg swelling, redness or pain)
• High fever that doesn’t respond to medications

Long-term outlook
• Many people see gradual improvement over 3–6 months, though some may take longer.
• Ongoing research is exploring rehabilitation programs, medications and vaccines as potential aids in recovery.
• Joining a long COVID support group can help you learn coping strategies and feel less isolated.

Key takeaways
• Long COVID covers a wide range of symptoms lasting beyond 4–12 weeks after infection.
• Fatigue, breathlessness and “brain fog” are among the most common long COVID symptoms.
• A thorough medical evaluation helps rule out other causes and guides management.
• Self-care measures—paced activity, healthy nutrition and mental health support—are central to recovery.
• For any life-threatening or severe symptoms, speak to a doctor or seek emergency care immediately.

If you suspect you have long COVID, keep a symptom diary, discuss your findings with your healthcare provider, and explore rehabilitation options tailored to your needs. Your doctor can help you design a plan that addresses both physical and emotional recovery—and rule out any serious complications along the way.