About long-COVID
Recovery from COVID-19 varies for each individual. This is regardless of whether they had mild or severe symptoms. Some people may experience long-term issues even if their initial symptoms were mild.
For some people, COVID-19 can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome or "long COVID".
Most COVID-19 infections resolve within four weeks. "Long COVID" refers to ongoing or delayed symptoms that occur after the initial infection.
Although most people make a full recovery after 12 weeks, some people do not. For some, symptoms can last longer than 12 weeks and symptoms may change over time and new ones might develop.
Depending on how long you have ongoing symptoms for, it can be called one of two things:
- Ongoing symptomatic COVID
- this is where your symptoms continue for more than four weeks
- if your symptoms last for longer than 12 weeks, it will then be called;
- Post-COVID Syndrome
- this is where your ongoing symptoms continue for longer than 12 weeks and cannot be explained by any other condition.
There have been many different symptoms reported by people after having COVID. These often include ongoing coughs, breathlessness, fatigue, problems sleeping, depression and anxiety.
Is additional medical help needed to recover?
Most people do not need any medical help and manage their recovery, but some people may need more help. For more information please click here When Do I Need To Seek Help? | Your COVID Recovery.
If you or someone you support is feeling unwell and needs urgent medical help use the NHS 111 online service https://111.nhs.uk/ or call 111 if you’re unable to get help online.