RIVM is conducting research to find out more about how many people have persistent, long-term symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain and fatigue after COVID-19. Therefore, research on Long COVID is being carried out all over the world. An optimal treatment for Long COVID has not yet been found. That number continues to decline 12 weeks or more after infection. According to an initial estimate, up to 1 in 5 people still have symptoms 4 or 5 weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. After a serious SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients sometimes still have decreased lung function for months after discharge from hospital, as well as lung abnormalities that can be observed on X-rays or lung scans. Long COVID appears to occur more frequently in women. However, even people who have not been hospitalised can experience persistent symptoms. People who were hospitalised for COVID-19 and people with an elevated BMI or asthma also appear to be more likely to have post-infection symptoms that persist for longer. There seems to be some correlation with higher ages and the symptoms that the person had in the first phase of the infection. We do not know yet exactly why some people have long-term symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Who is more at risk for developing Long COVID? Some of these symptoms may last a long time, but their severity could decrease over time. or suffer from depression or memory problems – often called ‘brain fog’.

People with Long COVID may experience such symptoms as:

Headache brain fog covid