Symptoms of Long COVID? Here’s What to Do

There are symptoms, however, that demand urgent attention, like chest pain and shortness of breath. You also shouldn’t delay care if you experience bad headaches, lightheadedness, fainting or any cognitive or stroke-like symptoms, Risbano says.

Research has linked COVID-19 to the development of pulmonary embolisms, or a blockage in one of the arteries in the lungs that can present with chest pain, shortness of breath and a feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting. A CDC report in May found that COVID-19 survivors have twice the risk for developing the potentially life-threatening condition.

“And if that’s the case, then that needs to be dealt with. A lot of times those patients may need to be hospitalized, and they need to go on blood-thinning medication. So that’s one thing that would be very important to pick up [quickly],” Risbano says.

A few other symptoms that may necessitate a more immediate appointment: “if somebody’s now all of a sudden getting more anxious, depressed, or [experiencing] post-traumatic stress from the COVID,” says Tanjeev Kaur, M.D., assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

2. Make an appointment with your primary care physician. 

Curious as to whom you should see when it comes to long COVID concerns? A good place to start is your primary care physician — preferably someone who knows your medical history and who can help determine if your symptoms are due to COVID-19 or something else entirely.

This is especially true in older adults who are more likely to have underlying health issues that could be driving any new or worsening problems. Roughly 85 percent of older adults have at least one chronic health condition; about 60 percent have at least two, according to the CDC. And with symptoms of long COVID all over the map — from cardiovascular to cognitive — it’s easy to “mix up” what could be from COVID and what could be due to another health condition or illness, Shaib says.

“It’s unclear how COVID stirs the pot of other issues,” Risbano adds. Heart palpitations and lung scarring, for example, could be a direct injury from COVID-19, “or they could be completely unrelated to the COVID-19 infection.” He says that depending on the symptoms, “a thorough evaluation is probably warranted” to help pinpoint the problem.

3. Prepare for your appointment.

When you first meet with your doctor, it’s important to come prepared — this can make “all the difference” when it comes to getting the proper evaluation, diagnosis and treatment, the CDC says.

Before your appointment, be sure to write down when you first tested positive for COVID-19 and when the symptoms that are still bothering you first started. Also note how often these symptoms occur and anything that makes them worse.

Another thing: Think about how you were getting along with everyday activities before COVID-19 — running errands, going to work, paying bills, socializing with friends — and how you’re operating after your infection, Shaib says. Finally, don’t forget to bring a list of all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

There is no standard screening to identify long COVID, but your doctor may order a number of tests to reach a diagnosis and rule out others along the way.

4. Don’t expect immediate recovery.

Many patients with long COVID can be managed directly by their primary care physician, often with the aid of specialists like physical and occupational therapists to help rebuild strength and recoup lost skills. Your doctor may also refer you to an interdisciplinary Post-COVID Care Center (PCCC) — nearly every state has one.

Treatment looks different for everyone, Kaur says, but could include symptom management (breathing exercises to improve shortness of breath, for example, or pacing of activities for people whose symptoms worsen after physical or mental exertion) as well as an overall focus on nutrition, sleep and stress reduction.

Another option is to participate in a long-COVID study. The National Institutes of Health is investing more than $1 billion in the RECOVER research project to better understand the baffling condition, including how to prevent, test and treat it. More than 50 institutions across the U.S. are enrolling participants. You can find a RECOVER study site closest to you here.

Finally, know that recovery from long COVID isn’t overnight, and that the timeline for getting better varies. Some people bounce back in a few months; others battle it for much longer, though Shaib says six months is typically a reliable recovery estimate. Of course, “it depends on the individual and how they were impacted,” she adds.