Long COVID (or Post Acute Sequelae of COVID) refers to the various long-term effects noted after someone experiences COVID-19 once or multiple times (Al-Aly et al., 2024). The constellation of problems resulting from a COVID-19 infection is still being studied but has shown to affect anyone regardless of age and baseline health status. It affects multiple systems such as endocrine (hormonal) systems, immune systems, reproductive systems, and cardiovascular systems. Some of the most common experiences people with long COVID have reported include:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Worsening of symptoms (fatigue or flu-like symptoms) after minimal exertion (also known as post exertional malaise)
- Disruptions in blood pressure and heart rate affecting how the body regulates itself. (Ex. Dizziness when getting up from a laid down position)
Other signs of long COVID that have been noted so far are as follows (Mayo Clinic, n.d.; Sakurada et al., 2024):
- Problems with sleep
- Digestive issues such as bloating or constipation
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Increased likelihood of getting sick again post infection due to dysregulated immune system
- Irregular and painful menstrual symptoms
Recovery can take some time, showing low recovery within a year of having long COVID symptoms and around 7-10% recovery rate after 2 years (Parotto et al., 2023). Any resulting health conditions such as heart disease, mood disorders, anxiety, and diabetes can be chronic. However, the severity of symptoms tends to be milder within the young adult demographic in general (Alkhormani et al., 2024).
A study from the United States noted some risk factors for severity of long COVID in a university setting (Landry et al., 2023):
- Being female
- Having another underlying condition
- Not being fully vaccinated
- Being a former/current smoker
- History of infection and re-infection
Another study on university students noted a decrease in physical performance (such as flexibility, strength, and endurance) after three months of their initial COVID-19 infection, as well as poorer sleep quality (Hao et al., 2024).
University Health Network has compiled resources and information on long COVID that may be helpful such as self-management, how to get back into exercise after COVID-19, and living with post-COVID symptoms. Please note that the page is archived and is no longer being updated. You can access the page here.
