Long Covid

The long-term effects of Covid-19, known as ‘long Covid’ are still being studied as it remains a relatively new condition. However, there is some advice that pharmacy teams can share with customers. Some common symptoms of long Covid include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Problems with concentration or memory that can be referred to as ‘brain fog’
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Joint and muscle pain.

Further symptoms may include loss of smell, chest pain, insomnia, pins and needles, depression, anxiety, tinnitus, sickness, diarrhoea, rashes, and symptoms of a cold such as cough and sore throat.

If someone has had symptoms of Covid-19 for four weeks or more, they should be referred to their GP.

Recovery time from long Covid varies from person to person and some symptoms can improve at a quicker rate than others. There is plenty of advice pharmacy teams can share to help improve symptoms:

• Avoiding alcohol and caffeine can improve symptoms of fatigue
• Eating a healthy balanced diet benefits all aspects of health
• Gentle exercise such as walking helps to avoid someone sitting for prolonged periods
• Practice breathing exercises to help normalise and regain the natural breathing pattern
• Slow and gentle movements and activity can aid with dizziness.