Long Covid is a designation created by patients early in the Covid-19 pandemic who found themselves experiencing a course of illness that was longer and more complex than their initial symptoms or than initial reports of acute respiratory infection suggested.
What Is Long Covid? (Plain Language Explanation)
Long Covid refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Long Covid
- Symptoms: The specific ways long covid shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen long covid
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When long covid occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Long Covid
- Long Covid is far more common than most people realize
- Long Covid is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with long covid see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about long covid is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing long covid, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.