Living with LONG COVID

A million of us still can't shake off the side effects of having coronavirus. From breathlessness and fatigue to brain fog, here's the latest expert advice

- TANYA PEAREY

The immediate danger of COVID-19 seems to have receded, but we are still living with the after-effects. More than a million of us are believed to be living with long COVID - still suffering symptoms from the illness 12 weeks after the initial infection, or longer still.

A recent study of patients at 39 NHS hospitals found that more than 70% of those admitted to hospital because of COVID-19 are still suffering complications from the virus a year later.

And symptoms are also continuing for people whose initial infection of the virus was mild. Women appear to be affected more than men.

Prominent symptoms are tiredness, breathlessness, brain fog, loss of taste/ smell and muscle aches. Insomnia, headaches and low mood/anxiety are common too.

Top 5 long COVID symptoms

Fatigue

Breathlessness

Brain fog

Loss of taste/smell

Muscle aches

What you can do

The first port of call will always be your GP. Contact them if you're worried about your symptoms and they're continuing for four weeks or more after having COVID. Your doctor may refer you for checks including blood tests, a chest X-ray, and blood pressure and heart-rate monitoring. NHS England has set up long COVID clinics, which you may be referred to for further support.

Feeling tired?