Long COVID: A Recognised Multisystem Syndrome

Persistent fatigue, post-exertional malaise, breathlessness, palpitations, brain fog, sleep disturbance, anxiety, loss of smell or taste.

Diagnostic approach

Rule out treatable conditions (anaemia, thyroid disease, cardiac disease) and recognise the syndrome rather than dismiss it.

Management

• Pacing rather than graded exercise (post-exertional malaise worsens with overactivity)
• Multidisciplinary rehabilitation
• Treat specific symptoms (orthostatic intolerance, sleep)
• Vaccination may reduce long COVID risk

Research

Several mechanisms are being investigated: persistent viral antigens, autoimmunity, microclots, neuroinflammation.

Believing patients matters: long COVID is real and recognised by major health authorities.