Long Covid Facts

What Is Long Covid?

Long Covid can be described as long-term symptoms of Covid-19 past the stage of contagiousness. Symptoms of Long Covid can include fatigue, difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”), depression, anxiety, headaches, shortness of breath, and dizziness. These symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years.

Long Covid is a real condition, and experts in the medical community agree that patients suffering from Long Covid can benefit from medical attention. Your contributions go towards facilitating such medical attention through clinical research at the University of Southern California's School of Keck Medicine.

Long Covid Numbers

According to Census Bureau, an estimated 25.6% of US adults who have been infected with Covid-19 have also experienced Long Covid. In October of 2023 alone, 5.3% of all adults in the US experienced Long Covid.

Numbers

Long Covid Testing

There is no official test for Long Covid. Doctors often combine clinical evaluations with blood tests, chest X-rays, and electrocardiograms. This can often lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatments.

Testing

Long Covid Causes

Researchers don't know the cause of Long Covid, even in patients who get it after a mild Covid infection. Anyone can get Long Covid, regardless of age or preexisting conditions, although preexisting conditions and a severe Covid illness put you at higher risk.

Causes

Common Symptoms

The most common neurological symptoms of Long Covid are cognitive difficulties with memory recall and language and executive functioning. Patients often can't find their words, lose track of thoughts, and have difficulty multitasking.

Symptoms

Complex Nature

Medical professionals state that Long Covid is not just one disease, but likely a collection of multiple endotypes of diseases, drawing the need for heightened research to distinguish these endotypes.

Complexity

Public Awareness

People have difficulty accepting Long Covid as science hasn't caught up with it. Patients also face the frustration of reporting symptoms, yet showing normal results in clinical tests.

Awareness