Either mild or severe COVID-19 can lead to long-lasting symptoms.
Although many people recover within days of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), some peoples’ symptoms linger for weeks, months, or even years. Some people seem to recover from COVID-19 but then their symptoms return, or they may even develop new symptoms months later. It is also possible that someone who had no symptoms at all when they were infected with Covid-19 can develop symptoms later which can lead to Long Covid.
Long COVID, long-haul COVID, chronic COVID, are all names to describe the condition characterized by the persistence or appearance of long lasting covid symptoms. The symptoms of Long COVID may be the same symptoms someone had with the initial illness, but they might be different .
Symptoms of Covid-19
People with COVID-19 have had a wide array of symptoms ranging from mild severe typically appearing 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Possible symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
The condition might mimic those of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrom (ME/CFS).
What causes Long COVID?
Research into why some people develop Long Covid is ongoing. No clear answer has emerged , but researchers have developed the following hypotheses:
- At some point well after the initial infection,SARS-CoV-2 particles become active again, causing symptoms to reappear.
- Immune cells become overactive and may release inflammatory substances that cause symptoms.
- The immune system makes autoantibodies that attack a person’s own organs and tissues.
Any combination of these mechanisms may cause long haul symptoms and different health conditions.
Why are some people more likely to get Long COVID?
There are risk factors for the development of Long COVID
- Severe COVID-19 illness at the onset, particularly those who were hospitalized or needed ICU care.
- People with underlying health conditions, such as autoimmune disease, obesity asthma or diabetes.
- People unvaccinated against COVID-19.
- People who suffer from multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during COVID-19 illness.
Other factors that seem to be associated with long covid are these:
The elderly, Female sex, which SARS-CoV-2 virus variant that caused the initial infection
- An Immune response to initial infection
- Possibly Hispanic or Latino heritage
- Being unable to get adequate rest when first infected with COVID-19
Children get Long COVID
Children and teenagers can get Long COVID.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious delayed complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection that may develop in children and young adults.
How can I prevent Long COVID?
The CDC says that the best way to prevent Long COVID is to avoid getting COVID-19 to begin with.
I have COVID-19. How can I reduce my chances of getting Long COVID?
If you are not vaccinated, vaccination after you recover from COVID-19 may help to prevent Long COVID.
Research is underway to determine what COVID-19 treatments may lower the risk of Long Covid.
What can I do if I have Long COVID?
There is no specific treatment for Long COVID yet. You and your health care provider can work together to create a personal care plan to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Intravenous Vitamins may help chronic fatigue
There are many support groups to help people with Long COVID symptoms connect with each other. Exercise may be harmful for people with Long COVID who have post-exertional malaise (PEM) — symptoms that get worse after even minor physical or mental effort. Symptoms usually appear 24 to 72 hours after activity and can last for days or even weeks. Check with your health care provider before starting physical activity if you have Long COVID.
The NIH has published a scientific paper regarding the use of Intravenous Vitamin C for long Covid
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Their conclusions, reviewing some of the science behind the use of IV Vitamin C states that “High-dose IV vitamin C has been investigated in four controlled and five observational or before-and-after studies in patients with cancer, allergies, and herpes zoster infections. The results show a reduction in fatigue and attendant symptoms such as sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, pain, and cognitive disorders.”
The NIH also published a scientific study specifically for Long Covid and its treatment with IV Vitamin C https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
Their conclusions included this statement ,”Vitamin C is one of the most effective physiological antioxidants, showing anti-inflammatory effects, especially if applied intravenously in pharmacological doses.”
Long COVID Clinical Studies
In 2021 NIH began the RECOVER INITIATIVE Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative This resarch will hopefully identify risk factors and causes of Long COVID and help develop methods of prevention for Long Covis and its treatment.
If you are an appropriate candidate you can reach out to be a part of volunteering for a study. Compensation may be available.
Participate in a Long COVID Treatment Clinical Trial
The RECOVER Initiative launched several clinical trials of potential treatments for Long COVID in 2023. More clinical trials are expected to launch soon.
Participate in an Adult Long COVID Observational Study
NIH’s RECOVER Initiative includes several studies about the long-term, ongoing health effects that some people experience after COVID-19. Find a RECOVER study site near you.