Post-Covid-19 Syndrome
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.
Most people infected with Covid-19 experience a mild to moderate acute infection; fewer than 10 percent develop hypoxemic pneumonia, while 3 percent develop a critical illness. Evidence indicates that more men than women get acute covid, and most people who get Covid recover completely in weeks.
However, some people experience a protracted bout of illness, relapse after an apparent recovery, or develop totally new symptoms—all now known as long Covid. The condition encompasses such an array of symptoms—persistent fatigue, brain fog , shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea, cardiac problems, neurologic anomalies—in a range from mild to debilitating, that no one is sure whether it is one condition or several. All evidence indicates that, around the world, more women than men experience long Covid, and most are middle-aged.
Key Takeaways
- Long Covid affects mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing
- Understanding long covid is the first step toward managing it
- Evidence-based approaches can significantly improve outcomes
- Building daily habits is more effective than one-time interventions
Incidence and Prevalence
In mid-April 2022, a meta-analysis of 31 studies published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases revealed that 49 percent of Covid-19 survivors reported persistent symptoms four months after diagnosis. The true prevalence is still unknown.
Starting in June of 2022 , however, the percentage of people in the U.S. experiencing long Covid after a bout of infection began declining, according to data published by the CDC. At that time, more than 3 percent of U.S. adults reported having long Covid, while 7 percent reported ever having the condition.
Rates of long Covid appear to vary around the world. Some studies show that 30 percent of Americans who get Covid experience long Covid. But a massive study—of 4.5 million patients treated at U.S. Veterans Administration hospitals—tallies a rate of 7 percent. Even people with asymptomatic Covid can later manifest long Covid, as can those who previously tested negative on antigen or antibody tests.
It is not yet clear what the true prevalence of long Covid is because the symptoms are so diffuse and studies so far have employed differing criteria and time frames of observation. Estimates range from 10 percent to more than 60 percent of those who get acute Covid. When WHO offered a definition of the condition in December 2021, it reported that “most people who develop Covid-19 fully recover, but current evidence suggests approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of people experience a variety of mid- and long-term effects after they recover from their initial illness.”
According to subsequent analyses of several databases of Covid patients, including those with mild or asymptomatic acute infection, a post-Covid syndrome reportedly develops on average in 30 percent to 60 percent of patients—mainly women. Fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, and loss of sense of smell are among the most common symptoms.
In February 2022, an editorial in the journal Nature observed that two years into the pandemic, there had been about 400 million confirmed cases of Covid worldwide and many more undocumented. On the basis of available prevalence rates established, it said, about 100 million people were likely suffering from long Covid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is long covid?
Post-Covid-19 Syndrome
Is long covid a serious condition?
Long Covid exists on a spectrum. While mild forms are a normal part of life, persistent or severe long covid can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. It's important to seek professional support if long covid is interfering with work, relationships, or wellbeing.
Learn More
Understanding long covid is just the beginning. Explore related topics: