Help Areas - Main Symptoms

What is Long COVID?

For some people, coronavirus (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". 

How long it takes to recover from COVID-19 is different for everyone. Many people feel better in a few days or weeks and most will make a full recovery within 12 weeks. For some people, symptoms can last longer.

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

 

What it's like living with long COVID (Source: NHS / LSBU / Graphic Change)

Greater understanding of long COVID symptoms continues to develop. If you have symptoms that are not on the list below, please share your feedback though the link on the Hearing, Learning and Sharing page.

 

When you are managing a long-term health condition such as long COVID, it can be more difficult to get active. However, small increases in your level of physical activity can have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing and may help you to manage your symptoms. 

The Let's Move Lincolnshire website contains an Activity Finder to help you find activities near you. Guidance on how to be active with a health condition provides advice to help make those first steps easier.

For information about the different long COVID symptoms, click on the list below.

Are you experiencing excessive tiredness? 

The Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) ME/CFS and Long COVID Fatigue Service has provided information on how excessive tiredness may be reduced in this excessive tiredness booklet.

The Lincolnshire Sleep Hub’s aim is to help you sleep well. Whether you’re experiencing a sleep issue or living with someone who has, sleep deprivation can have a serious impact on your emotional, physical and mental health, and it can feel overwhelming if you don’t have the right information and support. Visit the Lincolnshire Sleep Hub’s resources web page  for downloadable, practical sleep tip support guides, webinars and podcast series. Speak to a trained sleep advisor at the national sleep helpline and further information can be found on the sleep charity's web pages.

Fatigue Management - Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk)

Tips to manage fatigue after COVID-19 - Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk)

 

Post-viral fatigue:

How to manage post-viral fatigue after COVID-19 - Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)

 

Conserving energy:

Visit rcot.co.uk to find practical advice about managing and conserving energy throughout the day after having COVID-19.

Fifth Sense is a charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders. They have a Long COVID Smell and Taste Support and Information Hub. 

Visit Sleepio for a six week programme to help you sleep, available free on the NHS.