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This fact sheet explains Long COVID and post-COVID syndrome. It tells you what symptoms to look out for, how to manage them, and when to get help.
Useful facts
You may hear people referring to both ‘Long COVID’ and ‘Post-COVID Syndrome’. The definitions below are the ones used by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and in this fact sheet.
Long COVID symptoms that last 4 to 12 weeks after COVID-19.
Post-COVID Syndrome symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks and not explained by another condition
How long will it take to recover from COVID-19? Recovery from Acute COVID-19 can take 2-4 weeks, but some people have symptoms for 12 weeks or more. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises it as a diverse condition. Whether COVID is mild or requires hospital care, symptoms can continue, come back, change, or new ones may appear.
Most people recover from Long COVID and Post-COVID Syndrome. Among those diagnosed with COVID-19, 3 out of 10 have at least one symptom at 4 weeks, dropping to 1 out of 10 after 12 weeks. Some people still have symptoms at 6 months, whether they were hospitalised or not. Symptoms can be mild or serious and disabling. [NIHR Report, 2021]
Possible Long COVID Symptoms
Long COVID can affect different parts of your body. Symptoms may come and go and can change over time.
Symptoms which are varied, and which come and go are still real symptoms. But it does make it harder to judge recovery, which can be different between different people.
The most common symptoms of Long COVID listed by the NHS are; extreme tiredness (fatigue), problems with memory or concentration (‘brain fog’), feeling short of breath (breathlessness), heart palpitations, dizziness, joint and muscle aches.
Other symptoms can include:
- Fever
- headache
- cough
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain
- sleep disturbance
- Sleep disturbance
- Peripheral neuropathy symptoms (pins & needles, numbness)
- Skin rashes
- loss of taste and/or smell
- Tinnitus
- Earache
- Sore throat
- Dizziness
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- Diarrhoea
- reduced appetite
- Symptoms of depression
- Symptoms of anxiety
What can I do to get myself better now and in the future?
If you think you have Long COVID, talk to your healthcare provider. Ask questions and help plan your recovery. For advice on managing symptoms, visit the NHS website if you have internet access or speak to a member of your pharmacy team. NHS site
Remember, some symptoms might not be related to COVID. A new cough or breathlessness lasting over 3 weeks with a negative COVID test could be lung cancer. Blood in your poo, urine, or spit, trouble swallowing, or changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation) should be discussed with your doctor urgently. If you’re worried about symptoms, talk to a GP or contact NHS 111, NHS24, or Phone First (depending on where you are in the UK). You can also find helpful information on the Cancer Research website.
Increase activity slowly – Use energy management or pacing. This means undertaking activity but stop before you feel exhausted. Avoid pushing through fatigue. Some people feel worse after physical or mental activity (called ‘post-exertional malaise’). If this happens, reduce activity and pace yourself.
Self-care – Take care of your general health. Eat a healthy diet (or as advised by your healthcare professional), stay hydrated, rest regularly and get enough sleep.
Monitoring your symptoms – Keeping a simple diary of your symptoms, progress, feelings and goals can help you:
- Notice patterns
- Track improvement
- Understand what makes symptoms better or worse
A symptom tracking app can also be useful.
When you have symptoms which are varied and come and go, this is particularly important.
Smell training – Loss of smell is a common Long COVID symptom. ‘Smell training’ can help improve it by sniffing four different scents several times a day. Popular choices are rose, eucalyptus, lemon, and clove. The Smelltest website has good advice.
Support –Support groups can help you share experiences and find support. Check the ‘Where can I find out more?’ section for details. You might also enjoy local activities through Social Prescribing. Ask your GP practice for more information.
If your symptoms aren’t improving or are worrying, contact your GP. Work with your healthcare professionals to set realistic goals at your own pace. You can do this before and after any tests or Post-COVID clinic appointments.
Remember you are not alone – In 2024, the ONS report suggested that an estimated 1.9 million people (2.9% of the population) were experiencing self- reported Long COVID, as defined by symptoms for more than 4 weeks. 41% (762,000 people) had symptoms for over 2 years.
What can I expect to happen?
Most people will get better from Long COVID within a few weeks.
If your symptoms are mild, you may be able to manage them on your own. If Long COVID is suspected, your GP will take your medical history, including any past COVID-19 infection, your symptoms, how long you’ve had them, and any other conditions like diabetes, heart disease, lung issues (like COPD), or mobility problems.
They might ask about memory, thinking, or concentration problems (‘brain fog’), how you’re coping daily, and changes to mood or behaviour.
Oxygen checks – Oxygen levels may be checked during tests like sitting and standing for one minute. You might also need to monitor your oxygen levels at home using a small device clipped to your finger.
Tests – More tests may be needed to see if your symptoms are caused by something else or to understand how COVID-19 is affecting you. Tests might include blood tests, exercise tolerance tests, blood pressure and heart rate monitoring, a chest X-ray, and referrals for mental health support. Follow-up is important because Long COVID symptoms can change over time. Even if you feel well initially, you might still need follow-up. If symptoms are severe, you may be referred to an NHS Post-COVID clinic or local services for specific conditions. This helps you get support from various healthcare professionals.
When should I seek medical attention?
Contact your GP practice if:
- Your symptoms are not improving.
- They are getting worse
- You are worried.
It’s important to determine whether these symptoms are part of Long COVID or due to an unrelated health issue.
Get urgent advice if you have serious symptoms like:
- unexplained bleeding
- ongoing cough or breathlessness
Where can I find out more?
General information about Long COVID
Support
Nutrition
Returning to work
We review our health information every two years and this information is due to be updated in October 2028.
