Long covid

Long covid, also known as post-covid-19 syndrome, is a health condition that affects some people following a covid-19 infection. People with long covid can experience a wide range of symptoms affecting different parts of the body.

In March 2024, around two million people in England and Scotland reported that they were experiencing long covid symptoms, representing around 3.3% of the total population.

What is long covid?

In UK guidance, long covid is diagnosed when someone experiences symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks after a covid-19 infection, that cannot be explained by another diagnosis.

Research suggests there may be multiple, interrelated causes and different subtypes of long covid. It also shares features with other post-viral syndromes, where symptoms continue after infections such as influenza or glandular fever.

Studies have identified factors that may influence the likelihood of developing long covid. People with pre-existing health conditions, those who experienced more severe initial illness, and those who are unvaccinated are more likely to develop the condition. Women and people living in more deprived areas are also more likely to be affected. Vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of developing long covid.

Diagnosing and treating long covid

Long covid can involve a wide range of symptoms affecting different parts of the body. The most common symptoms include fatigue (extreme tiredness), shortness of breath, joint and muscle pain, and difficulties with memory and concentration (sometimes referred to as ‘brain fog’). Other symptoms may include chest pain, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems and anxiety or depression.

There is no definitive test to diagnose long covid. Healthcare professionals should assess patients by considering their individual medical history and symptoms. Because symptoms can overlap with other conditions, clinicians may carry out additional tests or refer patients to specialists to rule out other diagnoses.

There are currently no established treatments that can cure long covid. Management focuses on helping people manage symptoms and supporting recovery through rehabilitation.

Specialist NHS services for long covid have been established across the UK. These multidisciplinary services provide assessment, diagnostic testing and rehabilitation. These services were initially set up by NHS England and funded centrally. In April 2024, responsibility for commissioning these services moved to local integrated care boards, which can lead to variation in provision between areas.

Research on long covid treatments is ongoing. Studies are investigating both medicines and approaches to rehabilitation and service delivery, reflecting uncertainty about the underlying causes of the condition.

How common is long covid?

Estimates of how many people are affected by long covid vary depending on how the condition is defined and measured. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that around 2.0 million people in England and Scotland (3.3% of the population) were experiencing long covid symptoms in March 2024.

Earlier UK-wide estimates suggested 1.9 million people (2.9% of the population) were affected in March 2023. Many people experienced symptoms for extended periods, with a substantial proportion reporting symptoms lasting more than one or two years. Most people with long covid reported that their daily activities were limited to some extent.

Long covid is not evenly distributed across the population. It is more commonly reported by women, people aged 35 to 69, and those with pre-existing health conditions that limit daily activities. Rates are also higher in more deprived areas and among certain employment groups, including health and social care workers.

Impact of long covid in the UK

Long covid has wide-ranging effects on individuals, public services and the economy. Patients and advocacy groups have raised concerns about recognition of the condition and access to appropriate care and support.

Healthcare services are affected both by the need to provide care for patients and the impact on the workforce. Studies suggest that people with long covid make greater use of healthcare services than those without the condition, increasing overall costs. Long covid has also affected healthcare staff, with surveys indicating that many experience ongoing symptoms that limit their ability to work.

The Society of Occupational Medicine has noted the widespread impact that long covid has had on the workforce (PDF) and called for organisations to review their absence management and flexible working practices to help support employees. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has a guidance page Whether long covid is a disability that discusses this question in detail.

The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) is an independent statutory body that makes recommendations to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about eligibility for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). The IIAC has recommended that some health, social care and transport workers should be eligible for IIDB, where they are affected by certain occupational impacts of covid-19. The government is considering these recommendations.

The government has acknowledged that long covid can affect children’s school attendance and that affected children may need additional support to access full-time education. Since the relaxation of restrictions on schools imposed during the height of the covid-19 pandemic, there have been concerns about increased absence from school. The Library briefing School attendance in England provides more information on this topic.