How do I know if I’ve got long COVID? Here’s what we know about symptoms, recovery

Symptoms vary from person to person but there are telltale signs to watch for. (Shutterstock: Vector Contributor)

Almost 10 million Australians have recorded confirmed cases of COVID-19, and while research into the prevalence of long COVID in Australia is still in its infancy, experts say it could affect hundreds of thousands of people.

While estimates vary, the World Health Organization forecasts 10 to 20 per cent of people will experience ongoing symptoms.

Wondering if that brain fog is a symptom of long COVID? Here's what to look for and how to seek help across the country. 

Is long COVID real?

Very real. Long COVID is when symptoms of COVID-19 remain, or develop, long after the initial infection.

Describing it as a post-COVID-19 condition, the World Health Organization said long COVID occurred "usually three months from the onset of COVID-19".

What are the symptoms of long COVID?

Long COVID symptoms vary from person to person.

The most common symptoms include fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and problems with memory and concentration.

However, there are more than 100 possible symptoms, according to the long COVID clinic at St Vincent's hospital in Sydney, and some patients have had symptoms for up to two years since contracting the virus.

Two years into the pandemic, there is still much we don't know about long COVID.

Sydney researchers say one in five people with long COVID have shown signs of brain fog and memory loss, with no improvement even 12 months after diagnosis.

Other long COVID symptoms can include:

• Weakness
• Loss of taste and smell 
• Sleep and mood disturbance
• Headaches or dizziness
• Joint or muscle pains
• Chest pain
• Hair loss
• Hoarse voice
• Rashes
• Struggling to perform day-to-day tasks.

But it's important to remember:

• Symptoms of long COVID will vary from person to person
• Symptoms may come and go or fluctuate over time
• Long COVID can occur in anyone who has had COVID-19, regardless of how mild or severe their symptoms were initially.

If you develop new COVID-19 symptoms more than 28 days after your recovery from COVID-19, get a PCR test as it's possible you have been reinfected.

What about recovery?

It's not yet known how long symptoms of long COVID will last.

President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Karen Price says recovery from COVID-19 differs markedly from person to person.

"Some people are having relatively minor symptoms linger after contracting the virus, whilst others are having their life significantly compromised for many months with the patient unable to work, study, or enjoy social activities as they once did," Professor Price said.

While long COVID clinics are popping up around Australia, any person who continues to experience COVID-19 symptoms in the months following their infection is encouraged to speak with their GP about treatment options.

They can assess your symptoms, decide if further tests are needed and support your long COVID recovery.

And when symptoms are persisting or severe, your GP may refer you to a specialist long COVID clinic for additional care.

Where are the long COVID clinics in Australia?

NSW	The state's only long COVID clinic is at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney NSW Health has announced $19m to fund several new post-COVID clinics They will be established across the state from early next year
VIC	The Royal Melbourne Hospital has a long COVID clinic The RACGP-supplied list of post-COVID services in the state includes: Alfred Health Western Health Public Peninsula Private Hospital / Bayside Cardiology Group Austin Health
QLD	Queensland Health is not currently operating any long COVID clinics  The only long COVID clinic QLD Health is aware of in the state is run by The Wesley Hospital
WA	There are no dedicated long COVID-19 clinics in the state  A health spokesperson said GPs can refer patients to the specialty outpatient clinics deemed most suitable for them
SA	Several sites in South Australia offer long COVID services Long COVID clinics can be accessed via GP referral at Royal Adelaide Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre The Women's and Children's Hospital also provides a specialist service for children with long COVID symptoms through its outpatients clinics
ACT	The first Post-COVID Recovery Clinic opened in March at the University of Canberra Hospital in Bruce. The clinic has treated 59 patients to date Patients with symptoms that may be associated with long COVID are generally managed by their GP. However, a small number need to be referred to the clinic for group-based therapy programs or more individualised specialist rehabilitation
TAS	A long COVID navigation and referral service is expected to be fully developed and launched in September this year and will be available state-wide. A spokesperson said this was "still on track"
NT	There are no dedicated long COVID-19 clinics in the NT  Anyone experiencing post COVID-19 symptoms should contact their GP or primary care clinic

The overlap between long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome

Long COVID symptoms have often been compared with those of chronic fatigue, and Australian researchers have recently revealed the illnesses share more than just symptoms. 

Researchers identify link between long COVID and chronic fatigue

Griffith University's National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases said they had found a link in the pathology between long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

It is the first of its kind to actually biologically identify the overlap in the dysfunction with long-COVID and ME/CFS patients, according to the researchers.

They liken it to a dysfunctional lock and key, where damaged receptors do not allow enough calcium in.

The findings will be published in the Journal of Molecular Medicine.

How can I protect myself from long COVID?

The best way to help protect yourself from long COVID is by trying not to get infected with COVID-19 in the first place, Professor Price says.

“We are still learning about long COVID and, to some extent at least, it is luck of the draw whether you suffer from this condition post-infection."

You can help protect yourself by practising COVID-safe behaviours, such as:

• Staying up to date with vaccinations
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Catch up with friends and family outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces
• Wear a mask in public places where you can't maintain physical distancing
• Wash or sanitise your hands regularly.

Mutations in the COVID-19 virus continue to pose a risk.