Symptoms associated with most viral syndromes tend to rapidly fade after the acute infection. With the new coronavirus, a condition commonly referred to as Long Haul Covid, a variety of complaints persist for months to a year and perhaps longer after the body eradicates the virus.

Depending on the patients studied, symptoms of Long Haul Covid follow the acute infection in about 10% of cases. Some exceptional studies suggest the prevalence of Long Haul Covid may exceed 75%.

Symptoms of Long Haul Covid include those associated with the acute infection as well as a variety of new complaints. Early on in the pandemic it appeared those most at risk were older individuals, hospitalized and often treated with oxygen for their acute symptoms. More complete information demonstrates that young and old alike share equal risks. The same holds for those with initially severe infections and those mildly affected outpatients. Long Haul Covid may even appear among those after initial asymptomatic infections.

People with Long Haul Covid test negative for current coronavirus infection. Symptoms are non-specific and include the so-called brain fog, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, body aches, chest pain, difficulty sleeping and headache. Other complaints are sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, rash, night sweats. Loss of the sense of smell may continue from the original infection or develop anew.

Unless symptoms of Long Haul Covid follow an obvious case of acute Covid, the diagnosis may be overlooked. Patients presenting to a variety of specialists may be evaluated for their presenting symptoms with the association with the previous infection neglected.