What is Long COVID?
Following the initial COVID-19 infection some people continue to have symptoms for longer than others. When the symptoms last for longer than 12 weeks this could be called Long COVID or Post-COVID Syndrome. The exact number of people who are experiencing Long COVID is unknown, we think this may effect up to 1 in 10 people.
Definitions of COVID
Acute COVID
• Symptoms of COVID-19 infection at 0-4 weeks from initial infection
Prolonged-COVID / On-going symptomatic COVID-19
• Symptoms lasting greater than 4 weeks, but up to 12 weeks from initial infection
• Approximately 20-25%, i.e. 1 in 4 people, who get COVID, will still have ongoing symptoms up to 12 weeks after their initial infection.
Post-COVID Syndrome
• Persistent symptoms greater than 12 weeks from initial infection
'Long COVID'
• There is no agreed medical definition about what 'Long COVID' is
• 'Long COVID' as a name, started on social media and has been adopted for use widely
• Sometimes it refers to symptoms after 4 weeks, sometimes it refers to symptoms after 12 weeks
• For clarity, on this website, we will use 'Long COVID to refer to symptoms over 12 weeks after initial COVID-19 infection
Some common symptoms of Long COVID include:
You might be experiencing some or all of these symptoms - everybody's experience is different
· Fatigue
· Breathlessness
· Fast heart beat (or palpitations)
· Altered cognition or brain fog
· Altered taste and/or smell
· Anxiety
· Low mood
· Change in sleep pattern
About the Long COVID Service
Most people who develop COVID-19 improve with time and support from their GP. However when symptoms don't improve after about 12 weeks you may need more specialist help. If you are concerned or would like anymore support, please discuss this with your GP. The Long COVID Service aims to work with you to understand your individual experience and develop a plan to help you.
Whilst you are under the care of the Long COVID service you may see some or all of our team members, depending on your individual needs.
The Long COVID service is a multidisciplinary team including:
· Specialist doctors/consultants
· Occupational therapists
· Physiotherapists
· Psychological therapists
· Wellbeing for life
Meet the team:
Management Team
Dr Jen Steel - Medical Director Community Services, Long COVID Sponsor/Lead
Louse Nelson - Associate Director of Therapies, Long COVID Lead
Helen Stoker - Long COVID Programme Manager
Kelly Hudson - Long Covid Service Operational Manager
Consultants
Dr Philippa Bolton - Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr Richard Geary - Consultant Anaesthetist
GPs
Dr Caroline Gibson - Lead GP
Dr Catherine Green
Dr James Larcombe
Dr Jenny Smith
Therapies
Sarah Rice - Occupational Therapist
Margaret Omole - Occupational Therapist
Hannah Wylie - Physiotherapist
Kirsten Miller - Physiotherapist
Mental Health
Maria Bromage - Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
Wellbeing for Life
Julie Form - Wellbeing for Life Manager
Diane Taylor - Health Trainer
General Long COVID Resources
Your COVID Recovery Website https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/ - NHS website to support recovery of Long COVID
Homerton University Hospital. ACERS: Post COVID-19 patient information pack. Post-COVID-19-information-pack-5.pdf (hackneycitizen.co.uk) - General information around various aspects of Long COVID
COVID-19 recovery Collective Https://covid19-recovery.org - a UK based site including patient stories and a resource librar y
Support for older people Older People - Knowledge and Library Services - a list of links and resources to support older people following COVID 19
Support for Anosmia (or loss or change in smell)
Support for loss or change in smell and/or taste. https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/about-fifth-sense/-
Smell retraining post-COVID. https://abscent.org/nosewell
Managing Fatigue
Newcastle NHS site on managing fatigue https://covid19-recovery.org/deal/managing-fatigue-cresta-clinic-awrc/
Royal college occupational therapy site for managing fatigue post-COVID Recovering from COVID-19: Post viral-fatigue and conserving energy - RCOT -
Practical tips to help manage fatigue, including pacing
Managing your recovery from COVID-19 related fatigue https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/research/awrc/booklet-v9-30_09 - Information to help understand fatigue, recognise triggers and management strategies
Moving Medicine tips for recovery MM Covid Recovery Tips Leaflet (movingmedicine.ac.uk) - Useful bitesize information for managing symptoms following COVID 19
World Health Organisation - Self Management following COVID - Support for Rehabilitation Self-Management after COVID-19-Related Illness (who.int) - information for recovering from COVID following a hospital stay
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. COVID-19: The road to recovery activity planner. https://www.csp.org.uk/system/files/documents/2020-06/001751_covid19-the_road_to_recovery_activity_planner_v3.pdf - Activity planner for return to work
Sleep:
Information to help understand insomnia and sleep disturbance - https://www.nhs.conditions/insomnia Information
Resource to understand sleep disturbance and tiredness - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness
Understanding sleep disturbance and management strategies - https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/sleep
Return to work guidance:
Support for workers returning to the workplace post-COVID https://www.som.org.uk/covid-19-return-work-guide-recovering-workers
Advice for managers supporting staff returning to work post-COVID https://www.som.org.uk/covid-19-return-work-guide-managers
Short videos created by OT/Physio team in Derby. Can be really helpful when considering return to work
Managing COVID related symptoms during sickness absence: https://youtu.be/3fHeLbDo40U
Return to work rehabilitation: https://youtu.be/29KcxHJb4qU
Managing ongoing COVID related symptoms in the workplace: https://youtu.be/JNUBmWJgFms
Supporting staff with ongoing COVID related symptoms to return to work: advice for managers: https://youtu.be/bryRdjlzqRM
Royal College of Occupational Therapy - Managing well at work guide. https://www.rcot.co.uk/file/4118/download?token=_TU_3nYa
Breathing and Breathlessness
Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation. Long COVID | British Lung Foundation (blf.org.uk) - support with breathing and managing breathlessness
PhysioforBPD information leaflets. https://www.physiotherapyforbpd.org.uk/self-help/#leaflets - A range of leaflets including a guide to good breathing and post COVID breathing
PhysioforBPD understanding breathing videos. https://www.physiotherapyforbpd.org.uk/self-help/#videos - Videos as a guide to good breathing in lying, sitting and standing
Nutrition:
British Dietetic association -nutritional advice regarding coronavirus https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/covid-19-corona-virus-advice-for-the-general-public.html
NHS Change for Life - general dietary advice https://www.nhs.uk/change4life
Information related to diet and food choices. https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/ Information regarding benefits of plant based diet https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/factsheets
Social and financial support:
Citizens Advice Bureau. Helping people through the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/coronavirus-if-youre-worried-about-working/
Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for employers and employees. https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
Carers UK. Coronavirus guidance. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19
Social Care Institute for Excellence. Supporting people who are isolated or at risk during the COVID-19 crisis. https://www.scie.org.uk/care-providers/coronavirus-covid-19/support-for-isolated
Faith organisations:
Church of England coronavirus and faith https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches
Methodist coronavirus site https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/coronavirus/
Catholic coronavirus site https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/
Sikh Helpline. Coronavirus update. https://www.sikhhelpline.com/coronavirus/
Jewish Care. Online and local resource library. https://www.jewishcare.org/informationduringcovid
Muslim Council of Britain. COVID-19 guidance for Muslim communities. https://mcb.org.uk/resources/coronavirus/
Ethnic organisations:
Ubele. COVID-19 resource page for African diaspora communities. https://www.ubele.org
Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation. Support and resources for BAME Communities. https://www.gmcvo.org.uk/Coronavirus/BAMESupport
<!--[if !supportLists]--> • <!--[endif]--> Symptoms of COVID-19 infection at 0-4 weeks from initial infection
<!--[if !supportLists]--> • <!--[endif]--> Symptoms lasting greater than 4 weeks, but up to 12 weeks from initial infection
<!--[if !supportLists]--> • <!--[endif]--> Approximately 20-25%, i.e. 1 in 4 people, who get COVID, will still have ongoing symptoms up to 12 weeks after their initial infection.
<!--[if !supportLists]--> • <!--[endif]--> Persistent symptoms greater than 12 weeks from initial infection
<!--[if !supportLists]--> • <!--[endif]--> There is no agreed medical definition about what 'Long COVID' is
<!--[if !supportLists]--> • <!--[endif]--> 'Long COVID' as a name, started on social media and has been adopted for use widely
<!--[if !supportLists]--> • <!--[endif]--> Sometimes it refers to symptoms after 4 weeks, sometimes it refers to symptoms after 12 weeks
<!--[if !supportLists]--> • <!--[endif]--> For clarity, on this website, we will use 'Long COVID to refer to symptoms over 12 weeks after initial COVID-19 infection
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Long Covid Service Patient Information Leaflets can be accessed by clicking on the links below;
'Every aspect of my emergency care was dealt with quickly, efficiently and professionally with full explanations and compassion from all staff involved'.
Patient, Emergency Department, Darlington Memorial Hospital