International Long Covid Awareness Day takes place on Friday 15 March and aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of long COVID, and that NHS support is available to those who are living with the condition.
Although most people with COVID feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks, for some, symptoms can last longer – this is called long COVID.
Long COVID does not always go away, it is a condition that needs assessment and treatment. It is important for you to seek help if you need it for your physical and/or mental health.
There are long COVID services available in all parts of Greater Manchester. The services you access will depend on where you are registered with a GP practice. Our long COVID web page lists all the services and support in each of our 10 boroughs.
A number of support groups have been set up for people with experience of living with long COVID and you will find the details for these groups too.
Symptoms of long COVID:
The most common symptoms of long-COVID are:
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- shortness of breath
- problems with memory and concentration (“brain fog”)
Other symptoms people can experience are:
- chest pain or tightness
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- heart palpitations
- dizziness
- pins and needles
- joint pain
- depression and anxiety
- tinnitus, earache
- feeling sick, diarrhea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
- a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
- Rashes
Seek help:
If you’re still struggling 4 weeks after COVID infection it could be long COVID. Reach out to local long COVID services for help and support.
Here is some feedback from patients who sought support and was helped by local long COVID services:
“I felt totally supported when I felt I had nowhere else to go. They made me feel like I mattered. They have provided me with valuable support in helping me with my breathing and medication and my diagnosis of Long COVID…”
“All the staff that i have worked with have been extremely helpful and respectful. They have been in constant communication with me and given me a lot of help and support when I have needed it. Without them, I don’t think I would have made as much progress as I have.”
