According to the Office for National Statistics, 1.9 million people have reported experiencing Long COVID, also known as post-COVID syndrome, where COVID symptoms last for longer than 12 weeks and aren’t explained by any other condition.
Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director at Midland Health, is urging people to be proactive about their health and know the lesser-known symptoms of Long COVID this winter.
COVID Symptoms
People suffering from Long COVID will mostly experience typical COVID symptoms, but for a much longer period of time. These symptoms may include a high temperature, a loss of smell or taste, a sore throat, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, or a loss of appetite. A fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, and chest pain are also common symptoms of Long COVID.
Post-exertional malaise
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is when symptoms worsen after minimal physical activity and can last from a few hours to multiple days. Even minor activities can trigger PEM, and it can even get in the way of daily activities. It is incurable, but it can be treated by slowing down and managing your physical activities.
Brain Fog
Brain fog is described as a cognitive impairment. Signs include being more forgetful, less aware of time and surroundings, and having difficulty paying attention. Most people report this eventually going away or the symptoms subsiding, but it usually has a long-term effect. It’s recommended for people with brain fog to take breaks from tasks and try to boost their brain’s capabilities with training and exercises.
Changes to senses
Most people are aware that COVID generally comes with a lack of smell or taste. But vision problems, earaches, and tinnitus are all common symptoms of Long COVID, too.
Worsening mental health
One of the most common and debilitating symptoms of Long COVID is worsening mental health. 1 in 4 people with Long COVID note their mental health is suffering, usually through experiencing anxiety or depression.
Skin rashes and hair loss
Unexplained hair loss or skin rashes can be symptoms of Long COVID. These symptoms can contribute to self-esteem issues and be extremely frustrating and hard to manage.
Sleeping trouble
It’s common for your sleep to be disturbed while you’re recovering from any illness. But for people suffering from Long COVID, this symptom can last months. This includes difficulties falling asleep, tiredness in the day, no matter how much sleep you have gotten, and waking up multiple times over the course of the night.
Dr Rupa Parmar said, “Post-pandemic, many people are unaware they have COVID, mistaking the symptoms of the virus as a simple cold or the flu. But, although the lockdown period is over, it’s crucial to note that COVID is still contagious and can develop into a serious illness. Some treatments to manage Long COVID symptoms and improve mental and physical well-being are available, so if you feel that you are experiencing Long COVID, schedule an appointment with your GP to first rule out any other conditions and then get support as soon as possible.
“Support available will depend on specific symptoms, like physiotherapy for joint pain, therapies for mental health problems, and activities to improve brain cognition.”
