Pain
Many people with Long Covid experience pain. It can be new, or it can make existing pain worse. Pain can change day to day, and it may flare after activity, poor sleep or stress.
What pain can feel like
People describe different kinds of pain, including:
Muscle aches or a heavy, sore “flu-like” feeling
Joint pain or stiffness, sometimes moving between joints
Nerve-type pain, like burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp “electric” pains
Headaches or migraine, sometimes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound
Chest or rib pain (if chest pain is new, severe, or worrying, we recommend accessing medical advice)
Stomach or gut pain, like cramps, bloating or nausea
Widespread pain and tenderness, often alongside fatigue
What can help
Noticing patterns:
What makes pain worse (for example: standing, busy days, stress, certain activities)
What helps (rest, heat, gentle movement, quiet time, eating little and often, hydration)
If symptoms get worse later after activity, it may be linked to post-exertional malaise (PEM). In that case, pacing can be important (see our PEM section).