As we continue our weekly COVID-19 updates, this week we explore: Long COVID

About long COVID

What is long COVID?

Most people who test positive for COVID-19 recover completely, but some people may develop long COVID. Long COVID is where symptoms of COVID-19 remain, or develop, long after the initial infection – usually after 4 weeks.

Long COVID symptoms will vary from person to person. Symptoms may be worse in some people and can even occur for those who experienced little to no symptoms when they got sick with COVID-19. People with underlying health conditions, unvaccinated, or hospitalised due to COVID-19 are more likely to have long COVID symptoms.

Most people will recover from long COVID with time, and the recovery rate varies between individuals.

Long COVID is not contagious and is your body responding beyond the initial illness.

What are long COVID symptoms?

Symptoms of long COVID can last for weeks or sometimes months, and include:

• extreme fatigue (tiredness)
• shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain or tightness
• problems with memory and concentration
• changes to taste and smell
• joint and muscle pain.

This list may not include every long COVID symptom.

How do I care for long COVID?

You should see your general practitioner (GP) if you have long COVID symptoms. Your GP will advise on how to manage your symptoms and may refer you to a specialist if you have severe symptoms.

Most symptoms go away with time and can be managed at home.

If you have recovered from COVID-19 and are experiencing new symptoms 2 months after your initial diagnosis, you should get tested as it may be a new COVID-19 infection.

The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, wear a face mask in public places, practice good hand hygiene, stay in well-ventilated spaces and maintain a physical distance of 1.5m.

Where can I find more information?

You can visit the following websites for more information on long COVID:

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/long-covid

https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/symptoms#long-covid

If you need information or advice on COVID-19 or COVID vaccines, please call the Australian Government’s National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.