Long-COVID information

Reviewed 18 October 2024.

Mild or moderate COVID-19 lasts about two weeks for most people. But in some others, long-term effects of COVID-19 can cause lingering health problems.

The different definitions of COVID-19

The following definitions are used for the different presentations of COVID:

• Acute COVID-19: signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for up to 4 weeks
• Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19: signs and symptoms of COVID-19 from 4 to 12 weeks
• Post-COVID-19 syndrome: signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis
• Long-COVID: ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 syndrome

Post-COVID-19 syndrome may be considered before 12 weeks, while the possibility of an alternative underlying disease is also being assessed.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) uses the term 'long-COVID' to describe signs and symptoms that continue to develop after acute COVID-19.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can't be explained by another cause.

There are various symptoms linked to long-COVID, these may include:

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• shortness of breath
• chest pain or tightness
• problems with memory and concentration ("brain fog")
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• heart palpitations
• dizziness
• pins and needles
• joint pain
• depression and anxiety
• tinnitus, earaches
• feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
• a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
• rashes

What to do if you think you may have long-COVID

If you're worried about symptoms 4 weeks or more after having COVID-19, please contact your GP surgery to make an appointment. Your doctor will talk to you about the care and support you might need and give you advice on the next steps. Your doctor may carry out some tests or ask for a blood test to be done to help rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms to what you're experiencing. If long-COVID is diagnosed by your GP they may recommend you access online information to help with your recovery.

Further information to help with your long-COVID recovery is available at:

• East Surrey – First Community Health & Care
• Ashford & St Peter's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Central Surrey Health