It has been years since COVID first appeared on the world's radar, but we still feel its impact in many ways. Not only has it changed the landscape of much of our society, but many individuals are still feeling a direct impact with symptoms that last longer than other illnesses we have faced before. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms lasting longer than 4 weeks are considered long-term COVID. There are long-term COVID symptoms that you should be aware of, and our team of specialists may be able to offer some ideas to help if you are experiencing any of them.

What are long-term COVID symptoms?

The most common long-term COVID symptoms are fatigue, fever, and respiratory issues like difficulty breathing, with or without exertion, a lingering cough, and shortness of breath. Some individuals will feel even more symptoms or an unusual combination of symptoms like neurological, digestive, heart, and vascular issues, and women may experience changes to their menstrual cycle. This wide range of symptoms makes it difficult to pinpoint if they are related to long-term COVID or if they are indicative of another issue that requires treatment.

How to know if symptoms are long-term COVID?

This question can be challenging to answer, whether your symptoms are directly related to COVID or a sign of an underlying condition. Because of these two possibilities, it is crucial to communicate with your healthcare provider if you had COVID in the past. Additionally, it is not entirely unheard of for viruses to cause chronic fatigue syndrome, similar to many of these post-COVID issues. It is more likely that your symptoms are long-term COVID if you had a bad case, such as needing hospitalization or feeling initial symptoms for some time.

Solutions and relief

Your relief will greatly depend on which long-term COVID symptoms you are experiencing. Some of the most common recommendations will be rest, hydration, and a nutritious diet, similar to other viruses and illnesses. You may need to step back from certain activities, especially with breathing, cardiac, or joint issues. For example, runners may need to limit their exercise to walking or more rest during this recovery period. Certain types of pain, especially joint pain, can be relieved in several ways, and our team at Republic Pain Specialists can assist with that. You will also want to speak with your healthcare provider to see if they recommend tests to make sure there aren’t other issues or damages that need further attention.

Best practices going forward

Most of the best practices are similar to staying healthy in other ways. Frequent hand washing and limiting exposure to others who may be sick are excellent first steps in maintaining your health. Testing or seeing a doctor when you are experiencing multiple symptoms is a good idea as well, so you know what you are dealing with. Once you know you are sick, staying home and getting rest will be the best practice to allow yourself to heal.

If you are experiencing lingering pain, from long-term COVID or another issue, contact our team at Republic Pain Specialists to begin making a plan that works for you. Every pain is different, and your treatment will be tailored to your needs so you can feel better soon.