Long COVID
What is Long COVID?
VA defines Long COVID as symptoms or conditions that develop or worsen at least 4 weeks after a person was infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is the virus that causes COVID-19. You may hear these conditions called Long COVID, post-acute COVID, chronic COVID, post-COVID conditions, long haul COVID, or other terms.
Who is at risk for developing Long COVID?
Anyone who has been infected with COVID-19 is at risk for developing Long COVID. If you have had COVID-19, you are at risk even if your symptoms were mild or you didn’t have COVID-19 symptoms. It seems that people are more likely to experience Long COVID if they:
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Have experienced more severe COVID-19 illness, especially those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care
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Had underlying health conditions prior to COVID-19
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Did not get a COVID-19 vaccine
What causes Long COVID?
COVID-19 can affect many organs, including the lungs, heart, digestive tract, kidneys, and brain. Researchers are still learning more about why some people have certain symptoms, what causes them and how long the effects may last.
Can Long COVID be prevented?
The best way to prevent severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death is to get a COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are advised for people ages 6 months and older. The vaccines are advised even if you already had COVID-19, or if you have Long COVID. Researchers don’t yet know how to prevent Long COVID.
Do you have Long COVID?
Below are some Long COVID symptoms and conditions. You may have been experiencing some of these symptoms before your COVID-19 infection and they may have worsened after COVID-19. If you notice any increase in the frequency or severity of these symptoms after you’ve had COVID-19, talk with your health care team. Take a look at the Long COVID Fact Sheet. It has some frequently asked questions and a Long COVID Symptom Checker that can help you prepare for a discussion or appointment with your health care team.
Long COVID symptoms include the following:
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Altered sense of taste or smell
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Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
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Struggling to complete tasks you used to have no trouble doing, like playing with your kids, cleaning the house, cooking dinner
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Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activity
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Respiratory symptoms
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Cardiac symptoms
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Neurologic symptoms
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Mental health symptoms
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Feeling more stress
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Trouble sleeping
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Digestive symptoms
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Abdominal pain
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Constipation
If you have any new symptoms or existing symptoms that get worse, share them with your health care team.
How is Long COVID diagnosed?
There is no test that can diagnose Long COVID. You may have a blood test to look for antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19. This can show if you had a recent infection with the virus.
You may be tested to check for health conditions that can cause similar symptoms. There are many kinds of tests that your health care team can talk with you about. The tests you may need will depend on the symptoms you have.
How is Long COVID treated?
VA takes a Whole Health approach─focusing on what is most important to you. Together, we create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. To hear from three Veterans who were treated for Long COVID by VA, go to: Three Veterans' Journey (Video).
Your treatment may include:
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Managing your activity. This is called pacing. It means not doing too much in a short amount of time. You spread your activity out across the day. Your health care team can tell you more about pacing. They may refer you to a physical medicine and rehab provider (physiatrist), occupational therapist, or physical therapist to help you manage your daily activity. If you are athletic, you will need close monitoring of your heart health and energy levels as you slowly return to exercise or sports.
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Doing specific exercises as advised. You may need more support from physical or occupational therapy services to regain strength, especially if you spent time in the hospital. You may be given breathing exercises to help lessen symptoms.
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Taking medicines or supplements as advised. Your health care team may have you take medicines to ease headaches, pain, cough, shortness of breath, constipation, anxiety, depression, or other concerns. A pharmacist can go over all your medicines with you, including how to take them and any potential side effects.
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Keeping follow-up visits. You may need to see your health care team in-person or virtually every 2 to 3 months to better manage your symptoms. You may need support from other providers to help with nutrition, sleep, or other problems. Some Long COVID clinics have opportunities to join a clinical trial. These look at how new treatments work for people. You may be asked to track things at home, such as your oxygen level and blood pressure.
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Getting mental health support. Mental health is a vital part of recovery when you have a chronic illness like Long COVID. Your health care team may advise ways for you to get support. This may include a counselor, support groups or social worker. Ask your health care team about ways to help support your family if you have caregivers.
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Tracking your progress. Keep a daily diary of your symptoms, using the Long COVID Fact Sheet. There is much research being done on Long COVID conditions and there are still many unknowns in this area. Tracking your experience may help your providers, the VA, and researchers get you the right type of care, in the right time, and in the right manner.
When should I call my health care provider?
Call your health care provider if you have:
You know your body best. If you notice a difference in your health and you were diagnosed with COVID-19 or were exposed to COVID-19, share that information with your health care team. They are here to support you.
To learn more