Signs and symptoms of long COVID

There are many different signs and symptoms of long COVID. Your symptoms may change over time. The most common symptoms include:

Breathing (respiratory symptoms)

Heart and circulation (cardiovasular symptoms)

chest tightness
chest pain
heartbeats that can become noticeable (palpitations)

Brain (neurological symptoms)

brain fog, loss of concentration, or memory issues (cognitive impairment)
headache
broken sleep
pins and needles, and numbness (peripheral neuropathy symptoms)
dizziness
sudden confusion (delirium) particularly in older people
difficulties moving around (mobility impairment)
difficulties with or changes to your sight (visual disturbance)

Digestive system (gastrointestinal symptoms)

abdominal pain
feeling sick (nausea)
diarrhoea
weight loss and reduced appetite

Joints and muscles (musculoskeletal symptoms)

muscle and joint pain

Mental health (psychological symptoms)

symptoms of depression for example low mood, poor sleep, lack of concentration and feeling helpless
symptoms of anxiety for example feeling on edge, excessive worry and difficulties sleeping
symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, especially in people with more severe coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms that needed intensive care in hospital

Ear, nose and throat symptoms

loss of taste and/or smell
ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
earache
sore throat
dizziness

Skin (dermatological symptoms)

skin rashes
hair loss

Other general symptoms can include fatigue, fever and pain.

Some people with long COVID may have symptoms of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) which may need further investigation. PoTS is an abnormal increase in heart rate that happens after standing up. Symptoms include lightheadedness, palpitations and fatigue.

Managing your symptoms

Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP practice if:

you're worried about your symptoms
your symptoms are getting worse

The team within your GP practice can provide advice.

Further information about assessing your symptoms

Further information about managing:

Support available

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland's Advice Line nurses provide confidential advice, support and information to help people living with long COVID, or their family members.

To contact the Advice Line nurses:

phone 0808 801 0899 (free from landlines and mobiles)
email adviceline@chss.org.uk
text NURSE to 66777

The information on this page is for people aged 18 and over. Contact your GP or paediatric team directly if you're worried about possible long COVID symptoms in a child or young person under 18.