Long COVID Symptoms You May Not Know

Long COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, describes the chronic symptoms and conditions that persist for at least three months after the initial COVID infection. More than 200 long COVID symptoms have been identified, but some common symptoms are tiredness and fatigue that interrupts daily life, brain fog, and symptoms that get worse after physical or mental exertion (post-exertional malaise).

Other reported signs and symptoms of long COVID include fever, sleep problems, change in taste and smell, depression or anxiety, diarrhea and constipation, changes in menstrual cycle, reduced libido, and difficulty ejaculating. The long COVID symptoms you experience may depend on your age.

Understanding the common and rare symptoms of long COVID can help you rule out other conditions and learn how to manage your symptoms.

General Symptoms

People with long COVID may experience symptoms similar to those they had when they first got COVID, including cough, body aches, sore throat, and headache. Other general long COVID symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental exertion
• Tiredness and fatigue that interrupt daily life

Digestive Symptoms

Long COVID can affect your digestive health. Some research found that people with long COVID are more at risk for experiencing gastrointestinal disorders like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Digestive symptoms of long COVID can include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain

Heart and Respiratory Symptoms

Long COVID can affect your heart and respiratory health. Data indicates that having long COVID could increase your risk of cardiovascular conditions, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), heart failure, and stroke.

Heart and respiratory symptoms of long COVID may include:

• Chest pain
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations, or fast-beating or pounding heart

Neurological Symptoms

Long COVID can affect your nervous system. Neurological symptoms of long COVID can include:

• Brain fog, or difficulty concentrating or thinking
• Change in smell or taste
• Depression, anxiety, or mood changes
• Headaches
• Lightheadedness or dizziness when you stand up
• Memory problems
• Pins-and-needles feeling or numbness
• Sleeping problems
• Tinnitus

Other Reported Symptoms

There are over 200 known long COVID symptoms. Other long COVID symptoms include:

• Changes in menstrual cycle or more severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms
• Erectile dysfunction
• Hair loss
• Hoarse voice
• Joint or muscle pain
• Organ injury
• Rash
• Reduced libido
  

Long COVID is still not entirely understood. Some people report symptoms that have not yet been studied. "Treatments targeting the specific types of long COVID presentation might be the way forward," Anuradhaa Subramanian, MSc, a research fellow at the University of Birmingham's Institute of Applied Health Research, told Health. "At this stage, patients living with long COVID are the experts, and validating their diverse experiences helps them feel heard."

A Quick Review

Long COVID describes the symptoms and conditions you may experience for at least three months after a COVID diagnosis. Over 200 symptoms of long COVID have been identified. Common long COVID symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, and symptoms that get worse after mental or physical exertion.

Other symptoms of long COVID include sexual dysfunction, heart and respiratory problems, memory problems, change in taste and smell, and more. Talk to a healthcare provider if you suspect you have long COVID. They may be able to help you manage your symptoms.