What is Long Covid?

Long Covid is a term created by patients to describe the prolonged, fluctuating symptoms following Covid-19. It is also known as post Covid-19 syndrome, post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PACS), or post Covid condition.

After Covid-19, many people make a full recovery within a month. For others, symptoms can last longer. Symptoms lasting 4 weeks or more after suspected or known Covid-19 may be Long Covid.

You can have Long Covid after a mild or even symptom-free initial illness.

Symptoms can affect any part of the body, can come and go, or new ones may appear weeks or months later.

People of all ages and previous levels of health and fitness are at risk of experiencing the life-changing effects of Long Covid - including children and adolescents.

Millions of people around the world are living with Long Covid. Estimates of prevalence vary, with between 10% and 40% of people who contract Covid likely to develop Long Covid.

A study by Patient Led Research Collaborative for Covid-19 identified more than 200 symptoms. The same study reported that, after seven months of illness, 45% of respondents reported requiring a reduced work schedule compared to pre-illness and 22% were not working due to their health.

The Long Covid Kids website has further information on the long-lasting effects of Covid-19 in children, including a downloadable symptoms chart.

Anyone worried about their symptoms should contact a health professional. See also the NHS page Long-term effects of coronavirus.