[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/10\/long-covid-clinic\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/10\/long-covid-clinic\/","headline":"What Should I Do If I Think I Have Long COVID?","name":"What Should I Do If I Think I Have Long COVID?","description":"If you have new or continuing symptoms three months or more after an original COVID-19 illness, you may have \"long COVID.\" Find out how you should handle it.","datePublished":"2022-10-21","dateModified":"2025-05-09","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/GettyImages-1135927624.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/GettyImages-1135927624.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/10\/long-covid-clinic\/","about":["COVID-19"],"wordCount":1032,"articleBody":"Some people experience symptoms several months after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Known as \u201clong COVID,” the condition can encompass many different types of symptoms.While long COVID symptoms can affect your everyday life, treatment of many of its symptoms is available. If you recovered from an initial COVID-19 illness but are still experiencing symptoms months later, talk to your doctor.What Is Long COVID?Long COVID is new, returning, or continuing symptoms that people experience after having COVID-19.Most people who have COVID-19 get better within a few days or weeks after their infection subsides. But if symptoms continue or occur in the months after your original illness, you may have long COVID.Michael Risbano, MD, co-director, UPMC Post-COVID Recovery Clinic, says you should become concerned about long COVID if you are experiencing symptoms three months or more after your original illness.\u201cThe definition of what we would consider long COVID is people who have either new or continued symptoms after their initial infection that persist at a period beyond three months,” Dr. Risbano says.According to a June 2022 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults who had COVID-19 reported having symptoms of long COVID.Who’s at Risk for Long COVID?Anyone can get long COVID. But some people are more at risk, according to the CDC. Those more at risk for long COVID include:People who had more severe initial COVID-19 illness.People with underlying health conditions.People who did not get the COVID-19 vaccine.People who had multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS).The CDC’s June 2022 report stated:Women are more likely than men to have long COVID.Older adults are less likely to have long COVID than younger adults.Can I prevent long COVID?The best way to prevent long COVID is by getting the COVID-19 vaccine and staying up to date with boosters as recommended by the CDC. For more information or to schedule a vaccine appointment at UPMC, visit Vaccine.UPMC.com.Long COVID SymptomsLong COVID can cause symptoms that affect many different parts of your body. According to the CDC, common symptoms include:Anxiety.Breathing problems\/shortness of breath.Chest pain.Concentration or thinking problems (\u201cbrain fog”).Cough.Depression.Diarrhea.Fatigue.Fever.Headache.Heart palpitations.Insomnia\/sleep problems.Lightheadedness.Loss or change of smell and taste.Menstrual cycle changes.Muscle\/joint pain.\u201cPins-and-needles” feelings.Post-exertional fatigue.Rash.Stomach pain.Tiredness or fatigue.Often, these symptoms can affect your ability to perform everyday tasks. They also may get worse after physical or mental exertion.\u201cSome of the main symptoms that we see out there is something called myalgic encephalomyelitis\/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME\/CFS),” Dr. Risbano says.\u201cPeople go out and do something \u2013 they say, ‘I’m having a good day, I’m going to go outside and mow the lawn.’ They go and they mow the lawn. And then for the rest of that day, and probably the next day, they’re wiped out. They can’t do anything. They’ve sort of been spent. People have these waxing and waning symptoms.”To be considered long COVID, you must not have had symptoms like this before having had COVID-19.The CDC says people who had COVID-19 also are more likely to develop new conditions like diabetes, heart conditions, or neurological conditions than people who didn’t have COVID-19.Diagnosing Long COVIDThere is no specific test for long COVID. It can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms of long COVID can come from many other health conditions.\u201cOne of the challenges that we have with COVID-19 and sort of identifying what’s wrong or what’s going on is trusting what people tell us when they say, ‘I was OK six months ago, and now, since I’ve had COVID-19, I don’t feel right,'” Dr. Risbano says. \u201cWe don’t have a baseline on a lot of these patients, so unless they’ve been in the medical system, we don’t have anything to compare to.”Evidence of a positive COVID-19 test can be helpful in determining whether you may have long COVID, Dr. Risbano says.If you had COVID-19 three or more months ago and are experiencing new, returning, or continuing symptoms, call your doctor. You may need to seek treatment for your symptoms.UPMC Post-COVID Recovery ClinicThe UPMC Post-COVID Recovery Clinic seeks to understand post-COVID conditions. We also provide treatment to people who are experiencing symptoms three months or more after a COVID-19 illness.The clinic provides an initial assessment of your symptoms. Patients with other symptoms \u2014 neurological symptoms or mental health symptoms, for example \u2014 are referred to specialists in those areas for further care.\u201cSince we’re a collaborative clinic, we have other doctors who we can refer patients to,” Dr. Risbano says. \u201cSo, we’ll triage things as appropriate.”If you have respiratory symptoms or exercise intolerance, the clinic will take images and perform other tests. That may include an exercise test: Doctors will assess your condition as you go through a workout on an exercise bike.The goal is to find the specific cause of your symptoms to determine the right treatment path. Doctors also can see if you’re at risk for more health problems.For many people with pulmonary symptoms or exercise intolerance, treatment will include cardiopulmonary rehabilitation or physical therapy. The UPMC Post-COVID Recovery Clinic staff will work with you to develop a treatment plan.\u201cWe try to get people back to work,” Dr. Risbano says. \u201cWe try to get them back to exerting themselves, exercising, and doing things instead of just sitting around at home.”No referral is needed for the UPMC Post-COVID Recovery Clinic. If you had COVID-19 more than three months ago and are still experiencing symptoms, talk to your doctor about making an appointment.You also can make an appointment by calling 412-648-6161 and pressing 1 or by using the clinic’s online scheduling portal.SourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions. LinkCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, Nearly One in Five American Adults Who Have Had COVID-19 Still Have 'Long COVID.' Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"10","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/\/10\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Should I Do If I Think I Have Long COVID?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/10\/long-covid-clinic\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]