What is long COVID?

When the pandemic first began, the immediate panic over death rates plus a race to the vaccine and research into how COVID-19 affects the body, overshadowed almost everything else. But as time has gone on and almost 50 percent of Australians have had COVID-19, another worrying threat has emerged: long COVID. 

How do you know if you have long COVID?

Also known as ‘post-COVID-19 condition’, long COVID is the name given to the collection of symptoms a person continues experiencing more than 12 weeks after their initial infection. 

“There are no specific tests for long COVID,” explains InstantScripts Medical Director, Dr Andrew Thompson. 

“If you have symptoms persisting for over two weeks, or if they are interfering with your ability to do the things you used to do, I recommend checking in with your doctor.” 

What are the symptoms of long COVID?

Just like COVID-19 itself, long COVID can come with a long list of symptoms and can vary greatly between patients. Some of the symptoms can include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Cough
• Hoarse voice
• Muscle and joint pain
• Brain fog or memory/concentration issues
• Changes to taste, smell and appetite
• Difficulty completing everyday tasks associated with work and or home life.

It’s important to note that even if your initial symptoms were mild, or you didn’t experience symptoms when you were first infected with COVID, it’s possible to develop more as time goes on.

How long does long COVID last?

The average duration for long COVID appears to be around three or four months, though this varies between people. For a small number of people with long COVID, they may experience ongoing effects in various organs such as the heart and lungs.

Is there treatment for long COVID?

There is no specific treatment for long COVID as yet, although a number of specialised clinics have been opened across the country in response to the growing need for support. 

These clinics help patients address symptoms and access resources in relation to their individual symptoms. Your GP will be able to advise you if this is the right option for you.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has also published a guide for patients dealing with symptoms on how best to manage the challenges of long COVID. 

Why do some people get long COVID and not others?

Frustratingly, there is still a lot we don’t know when it comes to long COVID, but researchers are discovering more about the condition – and how best to support sufferers – every day. 

“There are a number of factors that may cause someone to experience long COVID,” explains Dr Thompson. 

“These range from a genetic predisposition to overall general health and other comorbidities. The reality is that for the majority of patients we simply will not know why they contracted long COVID when others did not.”

Find out more about how we can help patients with COVID.

This was authored by Bek Day, a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience in the health and lifestyle space.