Long COVID numbers are rising – here’s how to tell if you have them

Despite fluctuating COVID-19 numbers, long COVID cases continue to rise. While most sufferers recover, it is a slow process that requires a lot of patience.

CNBC spoke to a variety of experts who provided some analysis on Long COVID, including how to know if you have it and what to do with that information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Long COVID is a term used to refer to a wide variety of symptoms that can last for months and even years. “Post-COVID conditions are more common in people who have had severe COVID-19 illness, but anyone who has been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can develop post-COVID conditions, even in people who who had mild illness or no symptoms of COVID-19,” the CDC website explains.

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dr Jason Maley, director of the long-running COVID clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, spoke to CNBC and offered some pointers for people wondering if they might have the disease. Maley advises people who have contracted COVID-19 to self-check-in a month after they recover.

“Watch out for common symptoms like changes in [your] thinking, memory etc [your] Ability to perform at work or function effectively at home,” he says. Long Covid symptoms are very diverse and appear to be independent. These include fevers, headaches, trouble sleeping, fatigue and more, leading to plenty of confusion. Checking yourself for symptoms that are outside the norm is a helpful way to know where you stand.

There are also cases of many asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. While people with long Covid have typically had significant COVID-19 infection and have therefore had to contend with likely notorious symptoms, it helps to remain alert and on the lookout for symptoms that are outside the norm and have appeared recently .

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There are currently no treatments for long COVID, but experts suggest approaching your days with more care and taking a slower pace with your lifestyle. They suggest looking for triggering activities that can trigger periods of tiredness and exhaustion. They also suggest breathing exercises or yoga exercises to deal with shortness of breath.

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Long COVID appears to be related to people’s initial response to their COVID-19 infection, age, and comorbidities.

After living with the disease for some time, researchers believe that once the virus leaves the body, its effects linger and are expressed through a variety of symptoms. The most effective method of protection is full vaccination and booster.