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href="/web/20230307204127/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/" class="nhsuk-breadcrumb__link">Coronavirus (COVID-19)</a> </li> </ol> <p class="nhsuk-breadcrumb__back"> <a href="/web/20230307204127/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/" class="nhsuk-breadcrumb__backlink"> <span class="nhsuk-u-visually-hidden">Back to </span> Coronavirus (COVID-19) </a> </p> </div> </nav> <div class="nhsuk-width-container"> <main class="nhsuk-main-wrapper nhsuk-u-padding-top-0 nhsuk-u-padding-top-0" id="maincontent" lang="en-GB"> <div class="nhsuk-grid-row"> <div class="nhsuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <h1> Long-term effects of coronavirus (long COVID) </h1> </div> </div> <article> <div class="nhsuk-grid-row"> <div class="nhsuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <section> <h2>What is long COVID?</h2> <p data-block-key="je4gj">Most people with coronavirus (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.</p><p data-block-key="7h8kq">This is called long COVID or post COVID-19 syndrome. Long COVID is a new condition which is still being studied.</p> <div class="nhsuk-inset-text"> <span class="nhsuk-u-visually-hidden">Information: </span> <p data-block-key="2uimf">You can find more information to support your recovery on the <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/">Your COVID Recovery website</a>.</p> </div> <h2 data-block-key="icfsb"><b>Symptoms of long COVID</b></h2><p data-block-key="05ans">The most common symptoms of long COVID are:</p><ul><li data-block-key="2d29c">extreme tiredness (fatigue)</li><li data-block-key="absth">shortness of breath</li><li data-block-key="7brh3">loss of smell</li><li data-block-key="5f3nr">muscle aches</li></ul><p data-block-key="ehj2p">However, there are lots of symptoms you can have after a COVID-19 infection, including:</p><ul><li data-block-key="7rln7">problems with your memory and concentration ("brain fog")</li><li data-block-key="8hjo2">chest pain or tightness</li><li data-block-key="4v28n">difficulty sleeping (insomnia)</li><li data-block-key="6m04l">heart palpitations</li><li data-block-key="dr2hl">dizziness</li><li data-block-key="9ood">pins and needles</li><li data-block-key="ehepe">joint pain</li><li data-block-key="d5olo">depression and anxiety</li><li data-block-key="7qaka">tinnitus, earaches</li><li data-block-key="eo2iq">feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite</li><li data-block-key="2sio5">a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste</li><li data-block-key="9t548">rashes</li></ul> </section> <section> <div class="nhsuk-card nhsuk-card--care nhsuk-card--care--non-urgent"> <div class="nhsuk-card--care__heading-container"> <h2 class="nhsuk-card--care__heading"> <span role="text"> <span class="nhsuk-u-visually-hidden">Non-urgent advice: </span>Contact a GP if: </span> </h2> <span class="nhsuk-card--care__arrow" aria-hidden="true"></span> </div> <div class="nhsuk-card__content"> <ul><li data-block-key="gwhsz">you're worried about symptoms 4 weeks or more after you had COVID-19 or you think you may have had COVID-19</li></ul> </div> </div> </section> <section> <h2>Getting a referral to a long COVID service</h2> <p data-block-key="oeitz">Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and the impact they're having on your life.</p><p data-block-key="2r589">They may suggest some tests to find out more about your symptoms and rule out other things that could be causing them.</p><p data-block-key="9j490">These might include:</p><ul><li data-block-key="aun8i">blood tests</li><li data-block-key="2ohmi">checking your blood pressure and heart rate</li><li data-block-key="cbcl0">a chest X-ray</li><li data-block-key="fvcqk">measuring your oxygen levels</li></ul> </section> <section> <h2>Treatment and support</h2> <p data-block-key="oeitz">Your doctor will talk to you about the care and support you might need.</p><p data-block-key="639r3">You may be given advice about how to manage and monitor your symptoms at home.</p><p data-block-key="2rr00">If the symptoms are having a big impact on your life, you may be referred to a specialist service, rehabilitation service or a service that specialises in the specific symptoms you have.</p><p data-block-key="5kg8a">These services can help manage your symptoms and help you recover.</p><p data-block-key="egh97">If you have mental health symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, find out <a href="/web/20230307204127/https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/social-care-and-your-rights/how-to-access-mental-health-services/">how you can access NHS mental health support services</a>.</p> </section> <section> <h2>How long does it take to recover?</h2> <p data-block-key="oeitz">How long it takes to recover from COVID-19 is different for everybody.</p><p data-block-key="dgebe">Many people feel better in a few days or weeks and most will make a full recovery within 12 weeks. But for some people, symptoms can last longer.</p> <h3 data-block-key="oeitz"><b>Recovering from long COVID</b></h3><p data-block-key="69gga">Recovery from long COVID varies. Some symptoms can improve quickly and others last longer.</p><p data-block-key="5agnu">The chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get COVID-19.</p><p data-block-key="bhp3b">People who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems.</p> <h3 data-block-key="oeitz"><b>Your COVID Recovery programme</b></h3><p data-block-key="dk2te">The ‘<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/app/">Your Recovery programme</a>’ is an online recovery programme to support you while you recover from the long-term effects of COVID-19.</p><p data-block-key="1oabq">You need to be referred to the programme by a healthcare professional. You will be given a unique code to register on your computer, tablet device or smart phone.</p><p data-block-key="dktoc">The <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/">‘Your COVID Recovery' website</a> supports the programme and includes information on:</p><ul><li data-block-key="e6mfa"><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/managing-the-effects/effects-on-your-mind/">supporting your mind and mental health</a></li><li data-block-key="6jerk"><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/managing-the-effects/effects-on-your-body/">managing the effects of long COVID on your body</a></li><li data-block-key="9t9j4"><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/managing-the-effects/other-conditions/">managing long COVID with other conditions</a></li><li data-block-key="dggku">tips to help you <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/covid-in-the-last-4-weeks/your-road-to-recovery/eating-well/">eat well</a>, <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/covid-in-the-last-4-weeks/your-road-to-recovery/sleeping-well/">sleep better</a> and <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/covid-in-the-last-4-weeks/your-road-to-recovery/getting-moving-again/">get moving again</a></li></ul> </section> <section> <h2 data-block-key="8ushh"><b>Long COVID research</b></h2><p data-block-key="f63d3">The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) is funding research studies to help improve our understanding of long COVID. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20230307204127/https://www.nihr.ac.uk/covid-19/researching-the-long-term-impact.htm">Read more about long COVID research on the NIHR website</a>.</p> </section> </div> </div> </article> <div> <p 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