Post-Covid Conditions

Sometimes there are some who have been infected by the virus that causes Covid 19 can experience long-term effects known as post-Covid conditions (PCC) or long Covid. It is also referred to by other names such as: long Covid, long-haul Covid, post-acute Covid or chronic Covid.

What you need to know is that post-Covid conditions can include a wide range of ongoing health conditions that can last weeks, months or years. These long-term conditions are found more often in people who had severe Covid-19 illnesses, however anyone who has been infected can experience post-Covid conditions, even people who had mild illness or no symptoms at all. Those who are not vaccinated and become infected may also be at a higher risk of developing post Covid conditions. The CDC is working to understand more about who experiences post-Covid conditions and why, including whether groups disproportionately impacted by Covid 19 are at higher risk.

Unfortunately, there is no test to diagnose post-Covid conditions, and people may have a wide variety of symptoms that could come from other health problems. Your health care provider considers a diagnosis of post-Covid based on your health history including if you had a diagnosis of Covid 19 either by a positive test or by symptoms to exposure, as well as doing a health examination. Post-Covid conditions may not affect everyone the same way. Most patients’ symptoms slowly improve with time. However, for some the conditions may last month or years and may sometimes result in disability.

General symptoms may include: tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life, symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort, fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, fast beating or pounding heart (palpitations), difficulty concentrating or thinking, headaches, sleep problems, dizziness or lightheadedness, change in smell or taste, depression or anxiety, general digestive symptoms including diarrhea or stomach pain, and joint or muscle pain.

Those who are more likely to develop long-Covid are: people who have experienced a more severe Covid-19 illness and especially those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care; people who had underlying health conditions; those who were not vaccinated; and those who experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) during or after their illness.

The best way to prevent post- Covid conditions is to protect yourself and others from becoming infected. Being vaccinated and staying up to date with vaccines against Covid 19 can help prevent infection and protect against severe illness. Research suggests that those who are vaccinated but experience a breakthrough infection are less likely to have post-Covid conditions compared to those who are unvaccinated.

Living with a long Covid can be challenging, especially when there

are no immediate solutions. However, people experiencing post-Covid conditions can seek care from their health care provider to come up with a personal medical management plan that will help improve their symptoms and quality of life. Talk with your physician if you think you or your child has long Covid or a post-Covid condition.

Also another important note, as

of July 2021, “long Covid”, also known as post Covid conditions, can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities (ADA).

For more information, visit www.CDC.gov