Long COVID

Many people recover fully within a few days or weeks after being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. However, others have symptoms that linger for weeks, months, or even years after their initial diagnosis. Some people seem to recover from COVID-19 but then see their symptoms return, or they develop different symptoms within a few months. Even people who had no symptoms when they were infected can develop them later. Either mild or severe COVID-19 can lead to long-lasting symptoms.

Long COVID, long-haul COVID, post-COVID-19 condition, chronic COVID, and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) are all names for the health problems that some people experience a few months after a COVID-19 diagnosis. Symptoms of Long COVID may be the same as or different than symptoms of COVID-19. Long COVID can also trigger other health conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.

For more information on Long COVID, check out these U.S. government resources:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• Explore Long COVID information, news, and more on the COVID-19 research website
• Learn about NIH’s RECOVER initiative and find clinical trials on Long COVID
• Read this NIH Director’s Blog post about using artificial intelligence to advance the understanding of Long COVID
• Read how an NHLBI-funded study found that exercise lags are common after Long COVID
• Read this NHLBI news story about how Long COVID may be less common in children
• Read how an NIH-funded RECOVER study identified potential long COVID disparities
• Read this NHLBI news story about how lingering symptoms are common after COVID hospitalization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Find tips for talking with your healthcare provider about Long COVID
• Check out this fact sheet about caring for people living with post-COVID conditions

This White House fact sheet provides information about comprehensive government efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat Long COVID.