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Long COVID

More than 30% of the Australian population has now been infected with the COVID-19 virus since the first positive case hit our shores in January 2020.

While recovery from COVID-19 can vary from person to person, most people will recover within in a few weeks. However, we are now seeing more cases of people experiencing what is known as ‘long COVID’, where symptoms continue for weeks or months after first testing positive to the virus.

What is long COVID?

Long COVID occurs when your COVID-19 symptoms don’t seem to go away and continue for a few weeks or more after you are first diagnosed with the virus.

The most common reported symptoms of long COVID include:

  • tiredness
  • difficulty breathing
  • a persistent cough
  • chest pain
  • joint pain
  • not enough energy to exercise
  • fever
  • headaches
  • brain fog – problems with memory and difficulty thinking clearly
  • depression or anxiety

Although COVID-19 is a disease that primarily affects the lungs, it can also damage other organs including the heart, kidneys and brain.

This video from the World Health Organization provides a good overview of long COVID>>

How common is it?

The RACGP notes that the incidence of post-COVID (or long COVID) in those who have tested positive but were able to manage the virus at home, is thought to be between 10-35%. For those admitted to hospital with COVID-19, the incidence of long COVID is thought to be closer to 85%.

Similarly, a 2021 survey of people in the UK found that nearly 10% of the 9,063 survey respondents affected with COVID were still reporting at least one symptom 12 weeks after their initial infection.

Who is at risk?

While the world is still working out the how and why of long COVID, some data suggests that those at higher risk of experiencing long-COVID include people who:

  • are not vaccinated;
  • have medical comorbidities (or other pre-existing medical conditions);
  • experienced severe initial infection; or
  • develop multi-system inflammatory syndrome as adults or children.

Other research suggests that having diabetes may also increase your risk of developing long COVID.

Long COVID tends to affect middle-aged females more than males, and adults more than children.

However, it appears that long-COVID doesn’t just effect people who were very sick with coronavirus or those with underlying health conditions. A number of healthy, active, high-functioning adults and children are also experiencing new health issues after contracting COVID-19.

Studies have indicated that vaccination with a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can halve the risk of long COVID symptoms in people who do contract COVID-19.

Can you prevent long-COVID?

The best way to prevent long-COVID is to avoid getting COVID-19 in the first place; and the best way to protect yourself and others against the virus in to continue practising the standard COVID-19 health and safety measures that we are all now used to.

This includes:

  • Staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • Wearing a mask in all high-risk settings and where social distancing is not possible.
  • Practicing social distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres or two arms lengths from others.
  • Maintaining good personal hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water, using hand sanitiser, and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
  • Staying home if you are unwell and getting tested if you display any COVID-19 symptoms.

Treatment of long COVID

Unfortunately, there is no one specific treatment available for long-COVID. People will experience different ongoing symptoms. If your symptoms do continue for more than several weeks, however, make sure you see your doctor to discuss how best to manage them.

Many symptoms associated with COVID-19 are similar to other diseases, such as cardiac issues or lung disease, so it’s important to rule these out.

Your GP will be able work with you to help manage any of your ongoing symptoms. They can also advise you of any medicines that may suit your recovery needs and refer you to other medical specialists or allied health professionals (such as physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists etc), if required.

If you experience any of the following symptoms at any stage, please phone 000 and request an ambulance for urgent assistance. Be sure to advise the phone operator that you’ve previously been diagnosed with COVID-19.

  • Severe or worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Severe chest pain, pressure, or change in heart rate
  • New or increased confusion
  • Difficulty waking up or unusual drowsiness

For the latest COVID-19 information, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus.

If you have any queries or concerns about COVID-19, call the Coronavirus Information Helpline on 1326843.

If you are concerned about any ongoing COVID-19 symptoms, please make an appointment with one of our GPs. Bookings can be made online or by phoning (08) 9208 6400.

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