A complete guide to long COVID symptoms, as per NHS reports
1. Long COVID symptoms you must be aware about
The novel coronavirus has remained with us for almost a year now. While many of its symptoms and the level of risks it poses on different individuals have come to the surface, the possibility of the long term effects of the deadly virus are still being observed and explored by scientists and medical professionals. That said, a recent report has listed down more than a dozen of long COVID symptoms, which could range from a simple rash to heightened chest pain.
2. What is Long COVID?
Long COVID is defined by the long term effects coronavirus imposes on people. as the symptoms experienced by the people and the effects the coronavirus has on various individuals for weeks or months beyond the initial illness. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), long COVID lasts for more than 12 weeks, although some other people consider symptoms that last more than eight weeks to be long Covid.
3. 14 of the most common long COVID symptoms, according to the NHS
While the vaccine rollout may have brought about a sigh of relief, much is still left for speculation at the moment. With the long term effects of the coronavirus, people have been struggling more due to long COVID than by the initial symptoms. That said, the UK's National Health Services (NHS) has listed down a series of long COVID symptoms that people must pay heed to.
- Extreme exhaustion and fatigue
- Brain fog or mental confusion
- Insomnia or sleep deprivation
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Pins and needles (an uncomfortable sensation)
- Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite
-Fever, dry cough, headaches, sore throat, changes or loss of sense of smell and taste
- Rashes
- Joint pain
- Depression and anxiety
- Tinnitus
According to the NHS, many people recover within a few days or weeks or with 12 weeks after infection. But some continue to face long term health issues and last for long.
4. How long does post-COVID syndrome last for?
According to a study published in The Lancet, more than 75% of the people who were hospitalized for COVID-19 still had at least one symptom 6 months after recovering. The research observed 1,733 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, and tracked their recovery from June to September. The study claimed that about 76% of the volunteers experienced lingering symptoms of COVID-19 long after being cured of the illness.
5. Common symptoms of coronavirus
Besides the symptoms of long COVID, it is important to identify the initial and the most common symptoms of COVID-19, so as to diagnose it faster and prevent it from causing further damage. That said, here are some of the most common and classic symptoms of COVID-19.
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny and stuffy nose
- Chest pain and shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal infection
- Loss of sense of smell and taste
6. Steps to take
Long COVID symptoms occur and last post-recovery. It is a state where lingering and long term effects of the virus tend to take a massive toll on the body.
That said, it is important to take all the precautionary measures, which could stop the step of the virus and prevent post COVID complications to.
Wear your masks regularly, sanitize your hands thoroughly and maintain social distancing at crowded places. Do not endanger yourself and others.