In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic first began, perspective has shifted when it comes to the dangerous virus and our responsibilities to prevent its spread. In the United States especially, our attention has shifted towards a variety of pressing cultural and political issues with the 2024 election year.
As an organization that prides itself on connecting Hispanic and Latino communities with trusted information, most importantly in regards to public health, we believe it is important to remember the gravity of a COVID-19 infection. Since its introduction, prevention efforts against COVID-19 infection have gone hand in hand with influenza and the yearly responsibility that comes with flu season. This is highly practical, but must not be mistaken as COVID-19 being as consequential as influenza. In fact, COVID-19 presents a dangerous amount of risk with every infection.
Long COVID is a catch-all term to account for the serious consequences that some people must endure long after their infection. We may be inclined to ignore the possibility of Long COVID, and dismiss it as unlikely, but we all have a chance of Long COVID every time that we are infected with COVID-19. It’s important to remind ourselves of the serious nature of COVID-19, especially when we consider what impact Long COVID could have on our daily lives for years to come.
So, what is Long COVID? What does it look like?
The CDC defines Long COVID as “a chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection [that] is present for at least 3 months,” and clarifies that it “includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing.” As that description implies, the list of symptoms that Long COVID may present as is rather extensive, and it should be noted that these chronic conditions are not necessarily symptoms of COVID-19 itself. The CDC points out that Long COVID is not a single illness, and that it usually occurs in people who have experienced severe illness with their infection.
Known symptoms of Long COVID include:
| General | – Fatigue that interferes with daily life – Symptoms that worsen with physical or mental effort – Fever |
| Respiratory & Heart | – Difficulty Breathing, shortness of breath – Coughing – Chest Pain – Heart Palpitations (fast or pounding heart beat) |
| Neurological | – Difficulty thinking or Concentrating (referred to as “Brain Fog”) – Headaches – Difficulty Sleeping – Dizziness or Lightheadedness when standing up – Pins-and-needles feelings – Changes in smell or taste – Depression or anxiety |
| Digestive | – Diarrhea – Stomach Pain – Constipation |
| Other | – Joint or Muscle Pain – Rash – Changes in menstrual cycles |
That’s a lot of symptoms! Am I at risk?
As stated by the CDC, everyone is at risk of Long COVID every time they are infected with COVID-19. If your illness during the infection was fairly mild, it’s likely you will not experience any form of Long COVID after your infection period has ended.
Some research studies suggest that certain demographics are at greater risk of Long COVID, which is likely due to health inequities, meaning that due to economic, social, and geographic factors, certain groups are more vulnerable to severe illnesses like Long COVID. These groups include Hispanic and Latino people, women, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions. Research studies have also noted that people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are at higher risk for severe illness during the infection period, as well as Long COVID following their infection.
Some of these symptoms seem very common, what’s the big deal?
It’s true that many of the listed symptoms of Long COVID are common parts of everyday life for many people. It is also true that there is no test to determine that these symptoms are due to Long COVID. However, what is unique to Long COVID is that these symptoms can persist from anywhere between 3 months to many years.
For many of those afflicted with Long COVID, these symptoms also manifest in such a severe degree that it poses significant limitations to their daily lives. In fact, the CDC reports that about 1 in 4 adults with Long COVID will experience symptoms to such a severe extent.
Thanks to prevention efforts, including vaccines, we’ve all come a long way since the COVID-19 pandemic first began in 2020, but the dangerous virus is far from gone. COVID-19 is not some regular illness to view as you would the common cold. It has already changed lives all over the world, and ended many more.
The National Hispanic Council on Aging encourages communities everywhere to maintain a responsible approach in preventing further COVID-19 infections. For yourself, your friends, your children, and your elders, we must all continue to take this issue of public health as seriously as its threat warrants.
References:
– “Long COVID Basics,” COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 11th, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/long-term-effects/index.html#:~:text=Long%20COVID%20is%20defined%20as,%2C%20worsen%2C%20or%20be%20ongoing.
– “Long COVID,” National Center for Health Statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/long-covid.htm
– “Living with Long COVID,” COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 12th, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/long-term-effects/living-with-long-covid.html
– “Signs and Symptoms of Long COVID,” COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 11th, 2024. https://cdc.gov/covid/long-term-effects/long-covid-signs-symptoms.html
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