A common cold symptom could also be a sign of long Covid. Most people recover from coronavirus within a few weeks of the symptoms first appearing.

The NHS has cautioned that some individuals may experience more severe illnesses, with symptoms that can linger for an extended duration. Long Covid, or post-COVID syndrome, is usually diagnosed when Covid symptoms persist beyond 12 weeks.

The condition’s complete scope is not entirely known, as stated by the NHS, with it being a newly emerging health issue still under investigation. Identifying long Covid can be challenging because the symptoms differ greatly among individuals.

Common symptoms of long Covid

Long Covid symptoms can be quite varied, and many might confuse these signs with those of a regular cold or flu. For example, symptoms such as a sore throat and runny nose might suggest either a cold or long Covid depending on the duration of the symptoms.

Other symptoms can include:

• Problems with your memory and concentration, also called brain fog
• Shortness of breath
• Joint pain and aching muscles
• Feeling extremely tired (fatigue)
• Losing your hair and getting skin rashes, such as hives
• A blocked or runny nose
• Headaches, feeling dizzy and vertigo
• Pins and needles, and aches and pains in different parts of your body
• A cough
• Tummy pain and diarrhoea
• Feeling or being sick, losing weight and not feeling like eating
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• A high temperature
• Changes to your senses, such as problems with your vision, earaches, hearing ringing sounds inside your ear (tinnitus), and differences in your sense of smell or taste
• Anxiety and depression
• A sore throat
• Sudden confusion (delirium), especially in older people
• Chest pain or tightness and noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations)

How to find out if you have long Covid

Given the diverse symptoms associated with long Covid, it is advisable to consult your GP if you think you might have it. Typically, your GP will inquire about your symptoms and their duration to assist in diagnosis.

Your GP might also perform several tests to exclude other potential causes, like conducting a blood test. They may check your heart rate along with oxygen levels in your blood.

You might be referred for additional tests, such as an ECG or an X-ray. Sometimes, this assessment could be done by a team of specialists at a post-COVID syndrome service.

Further details on NHS advice surrounding long-Covid can be found here.