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Long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID)

Long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID)

Find out how to recognise and get help for long COVID

Most people with COVID-19 feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks.

For some people, symptoms can last longer. This is called long COVID or post COVID-19 syndrome. Long COVID is a new condition which is still being studied.

Symptoms of long COVID

The most common symptoms of long COVID are:

However, there are lots of symptoms you can have after a COVID-19 infection, including:

  • loss of smell
  • chest pain or tightness
  • difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • pins and needles
  • depression and anxiety
  • tinnitus, earaches
  • feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
  • cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
  • rashes

Getting help with long COVID

There is guidance available from the NHS, including:

If you’re sick with long COVID, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) have produced guidance on:

The NHS North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) have a range of resources to help those suffering from long COVID. You can also read their patient stories to learn about how others in the community are managing long COVID symptoms. 

Further support for those in north east London with long COVID

Online support

The NHS website provides general long COVID information and advice for patients.

The NHS North East London Foundation Trust have a series of videos to support those with long COVID translated into community languages. 

Mental health services

For mental health support, the NHS Talking Therapies service provides support for anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues related to long COVID. 

Charities and Peer Support Groups

Some charities offer support and help for people with long COVID. You may find the below links useful:

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