12 Key Symptoms of Long COVID: Understanding Post-COVID Syndrome

If you've had COVID-19 and continue experiencing symptoms weeks or months after your initial infection, you might be dealing with long COVID. Also called post-COVID syndrome or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), this condition affects people worldwide. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the 12 most common symptoms to watch for.

What Is Long COVID?

Long COVID describes ongoing symptoms that persist for at least four weeks after the initial COVID-19 infection. These symptoms may be entirely new, or continuations of symptoms from the acute phase. While some people recover within a few months, others continue experiencing symptoms for a year or longer.

The 12 Most Common Long COVID Symptoms

1. Extreme Fatigue

What it feels like: Overwhelming tiredness that doesn't improve with rest and may worsen after even minor physical or mental activities.

Many long COVID patients describe this fatigue as "hitting a wall" suddenly during the day or feeling completely drained after simple tasks like showering or preparing a meal.

2. Brain Fog

What it feels like: Difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating, remembering information, or finding the right words.

Brain fog can make everyday tasks challenging, from following conversations to performing work duties. Many patients report trouble multitasking or completing previously routine mental activities. To combat this, we've created a print-out tool to help those living with long-COVID balance their energy with their daily tasks. Download the Long COVID Energy Log and Template to track and manage energy levels. 

3. Shortness of Breath

What it feels like: Difficulty catching your breath or feeling winded during activities that normally wouldn't cause breathing problems.

Even mild exertion like walking up stairs or across a room can trigger breathlessness. Some people need to pause frequently during activities to catch their breath.

4. Chest Pain or Heart Palpitations

What it feels like: Sharp or dull pain in the chest, or a racing, pounding, or fluttering heart that may come and go.

These symptoms might appear suddenly, even when resting, and can cause anxiety. Some patients report their heart rate spikes dramatically from simply standing up or minimal activity.

5. Joint and Muscle Pain

What it feels like: Aching, throbbing, or sharp pain in multiple joints or muscles that may move around the body.

This pain can be similar to arthritis or fibromyalgia and may flare up unpredictably, making physical activity difficult or painful.

6. Headaches

What it feels like: Persistent headaches that may feel different from previous headache patterns—often described as pressure, throbbing, or constant pain.

These headaches might be resistant to over-the-counter pain relievers and can last for days or even weeks at a time.

7. Loss or Change in Smell or Taste

What it feels like: Complete inability to smell or taste, or distorted sensations where things smell or taste different than before (often unpleasant).

Some people experience parosmia, where normal smells become distorted—often described as smelling burning, garbage, or chemical odors when encountering everyday scents.

8. Sleep Disturbances

What it feels like: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking unrefreshed despite adequate sleep time.

Many long COVID patients report dramatic changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia or sleeping much more than usual without feeling rested.

9. Dizziness or Lightheadedness

What it feels like: Feeling faint, woozy, or unsteady, especially when changing positions like standing up from sitting or lying down.

This symptom is often linked to POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), which has been associated with long COVID.

10. Digestive Problems

What it feels like: Persistent stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, or nausea.

Many people report new food intolerances or sensitivities after COVID infection, making meals unpredictable and challenging.

11. Temperature Regulation Issues

What it feels like: Frequent low-grade fevers, chills, or excessive sweating not related to environmental temperatures.

Some patients report feeling constantly overheated or unable to get warm, regardless of the actual temperature around them.

12. Mood Changes

What it feels like: New or worsened anxiety, depression, irritability, or mood swings that persist beyond the acute illness.

The combination of physical symptoms and limitations often contributes to these mood changes, creating a cycle that impacts overall quality of life.

When to Seek Medical Help

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• Your symptoms persist for more than four weeks after COVID infection
• Symptoms are severe enough to interfere with daily activities
• You experience new symptoms that develop after your initial recovery
• Any symptoms are worsening rather than improving over time

Long COVID Treatment Options

While there's no single cure for long COVID, various approaches can help manage symptoms:

• Specialized long COVID clinics focusing on multidisciplinary care
• Gradual physical rehabilitation with carefully paced activity
• Cognitive rehabilitation for brain fog
• Breathing exercises for respiratory symptoms
• Medications targeted to specific symptoms
• Mental health support

Quality Insights has also created an energy calendar to help people with Long COVID manage their day-to-day tasks. Download the PDF of the calendar template and instructions on how to use it.

The Bottom Line

Long COVID is a complex condition that can affect nearly every body system. If you're experiencing persistent symptoms after COVID-19 infection, you're not alone. Millions of people worldwide are dealing with similar challenges.

Working with healthcare providers who recognize and understand long COVID is essential for managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Research into treatments is ongoing, with new approaches being developed as we learn more about this condition.

Remember that recovery often isn't linear—symptoms may fluctuate in intensity over time, and patience is key during the healing process.

Medical content on this blog has been written and/or reviewed by healthcare professionals but should not replace personalized medical advice from your doctor.