Long Covid, a term to describe lasting long-term effects of Covid-19.

Covid-19 was first reported to World Health Organisation (WHO) China Country Office 31 December 2019.

Most people recover from Covid-19 after 2 to 6 weeks.  As the name suggests, Long Covid, is so named because some symptoms may take much longer to linger.

Could Long Covid be M.E.?

M.E. Symptoms can include all or several of the following:

• chronic, severe and debilitating fatigue, mental and physical

• widespread painful muscles and joints

• disordered sleep

• gastric, digestive disturbances

• cognitive difficulties, poor memory and concentration

• post-exertional malaise

• unrefreshing sleep

• sore throat

• flu-like symptoms

• headaches of a type not previously experienced

• increased sensitivity to light, sounds and smells

• depression

In many cases, onset is linked to a viral infection.  Other triggers may include an operation or an accident, child birth, bereavement, breakdown of a relationship, anything that your body determines as a trauma.  Some people experience a slow, insidious onset, which

 means the onset can be days, weeks, months even years later which can then prove diagnosis difficult.

BMJ Group: Long Covid could be 4 different syndromes

ME Association: Covid-19 and M.E./C.F.S.

Versus Arthritis: Covid-19 and Arthritis

World Health Organisation, WHO: What we know about long-term effects of Covid-19

Blue Badge explanation card for Long Covid (to sit aside your blue badge when on display)