What the research tells us about long COVID
We’re still in the early days of understanding long COVID. Researchers are working to identify root causes, prevalence, and severity. But one thing is clear: long COVID is real, and it’s an emerging public health concern.
Here's a quick summary of what the research says:
Common long COVID symptoms include:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cognitive impairment (for example: "brain fog," loss of concentration and memory issues)
- Depression and/or anxiety
Symptom severity ranges from mild to more serious. Many experience symptoms for several weeks. Some are still experiencing symptoms since being infected at the beginning of the pandemic. Anyone who has had COVID-19 can develop long COVID, not just those who were seriously ill.
There is likely more than one cause, including:
- Damage to organs
- Impacts on the nervous system
- Overreaction of the body’s immune system
Care is focused on managing symptoms and rehabilitation – for example:
- Exercises to improve lung function
- Mental health therapy to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety
Sources: World Health Organization, Science Briefs of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table