What is Long COVID?
Long COVID is used to describe signs and symptoms that last for longer than 4 weeks after getting COVID-19. In this section, we explain in more detail what Long COVID is, the common symptoms and when you might feel back to normal.
There are two stages to what is commonly known as Long COVID:
- Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 – symptoms that last 4-12 weeks
- Post-COVID-19 syndrome – symptoms that last for more than 12 weeks and can’t be explained by another diagnosis
It can affect your whole body, and your symptoms can change and come and go over time. If you think you might have Long COVID, the first thing you should do is speak to your GP. They will investigate your symptoms and first try to find out if there are any other possible causes, to see if there’s anything that needs urgent action.
In this section:
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Last medically reviewed: February 2021. Due for review: May 2021
This information uses the best available medical evidence and was produced with the support of people living with lung conditions. Find out how we produce our information. If you’d like to see our references get in touch.
