What is Long Covid?
Chris,•long covid
What is Long Covid?
Long Covid is a term used to describe the symptoms of Covid-19 that continue for weeks or months after the acute phase of the illness has passed. It is also known as post-acute Covid-19, post-viral fatigue, and chronic Covid syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Long Covid?
The symptoms of Long Covid vary from person to person, but can include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Joint pain
- Brain fog
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Loss of taste and smell
- Digestive issues
- Depression
- Anxiety
But there are at least 37 symptoms that have been identified as frequently occurring in Long Covid patients, and as many as 200 other symptoms in 10 different organ systems have been described in some people with the condition.
So far there have been several theories about what causes Long Covid, but no definitive answers. Here are some of the leading theories:
- The virus or viral debris are still present in the body
- Microclots
- Microvasculature and endothelial damage
- The immune system is overactive
- The virus has triggered an autoimmune response
- The virus has caused damage to the body's organs
- The virus has caused changes to the body's metabolism
- The virus has caused changes to the body's nervous system
- MCAS(Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) or Histamine Intolerance
- POTS(Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Sources
© Long Covid Club.