What is long Covid?
Most people who get sick with COVID-19 recover within two to six weeks but some people have ongoing symptoms for weeks or months, known as post- or long COVID. It is estimated that up to one third of people who get sick with COVID-19 will have long COVID. Long COVID is a biological, not psychological, condition.
How is long COVID Diagnosed?
There is no specific test to diagnose long COVID. The World Health Organization’s definition of long COVID is ongoing symptoms three months after the initial COVID-19 illness, which persist for more than two months, and which can’t be explained by an alternative diagnosis.
Your doctor may arrange tests, to rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as:
- blood tests
- exercise tests — including a one-minute sit-to-stand test
- x-rays
- lung function tests
- an electrocardiogram (ECG)
Common Symptoms of long COVID
- breathlessness
- fatigue
- post-exertional malaise (PEM): symptoms get worse after physical or mental activity
- cognitive difficulties, such as confusion, or problems with concentration or memory
- sleep difficulties
- muscle pain
How is long COVID Managed?
There is no single treatment for long COVID. Working with your GP to implement stepwise symptom management, which aims to provide symptom relief for your worst symptoms first, is recommended.
If your symptoms are impacting your life, your doctor may refer you to a specialist or allied health professional.
Depending on your symptoms, this may include:
- a respiratory specialist (a doctor who specialises in lungs and breathing)
- a cardiologist (a heart doctor)
- a physiotherapist
- an occupational therapist
- a dietician
- a speech pathologist
- a psychologist
Long COVID may cause you to feel weak and tired after just a small amount of physical activity. You may also struggle to concentrate and process information as usual.
To manage these symptoms, follow the 3 Ps — pace, plan, prioritise.
- Pace — save your energy by breaking up your daily activities into smaller, more manageable tasks. Rest often.
- Plan — spread activities that need more energy, such as gardening, food shopping and laundry, across the whole week. Plan for plenty of rest in between these tasks. If you can, ask family members or friends to help you. Consider other options like grocery delivery services.
- Prioritise — only do essential tasks and activities. If you can, ask a family member or friend to help with these tasks.
Arthritis ACT Self Help Program
If symptoms persist you may wish to undertake one of our self help programs for people living with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and long COVID. The program runs every term and is an 8 week, one hour a week, program that assists you to reset your life, your goals, learn how to pace activities, and learn how to understand and communicate with others your needs. For more information email robyn@arthritisact.org.au and ask about our self-help course. The course is run alternatively face-to-face one term and online the next. Face-to-face sessions occur in Pearce and in Bruce.
Want to Learn More About long COVID?
Further information regarding long COVID can be found in many media articles including this one from The Age
Understanding long COVID Booklet https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/understanding-long-covid/
Emerge Website https://www.emerge.org.au/long-covid/
Health Direct Webpage https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/long-covid#diagnosed
