Long COVID Information & Resources

There are millions of people who have been affected by Long COVID.  More understanding and treatment access are needed to support people and the unique ways that this disease has impacted individuals.


This page can provide some useful information and resources for those who are experiencing Long COVID and for people who are supporting a loved one with Long COVID.

Much of the information below was provided by the National Institutes of Health.

Gif source: SurvivorCorps

  • What is Long COVID?

    Long COVID is defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue or develop after initial COVID infection. Long COVID may also be called:

    • Long-haul COVID-19
    • Post-COVID-19 conditions
    • Chronic COVID-19
    • PASC, or Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2

    It affects people for weeks, months, or even longer after getting COVID-19. People may have difficulty carrying out daily activities because of their symptoms. Roughly 1 million people are out of the workforce at any given time due to Long COVID.

  • What are common symptoms?

    • Feeling weak and tired
    • Trouble breathing
    • Trouble thinking
    • Fast-beating or pounding heart
    • Trouble sleeping
    • Headache
    • Fever
    • Feeling anxious or depressed

    Symptoms may:

    • Start soon after infection or after recovery from COVID-19
    • Come and go
    • Be different than the symptoms of COVID-19
    • Go away with time

    Some people who didn’t feel sick when they first got infected may still go on to develop Long COVID.


    Long COVID does not affect everyone the same way. Scientists and doctors are only beginning to understand the nature of the symptoms. Long COVID may include some well-known illnesses related to COVID-19 such as heart inflammation, lung damage, or diabetes. Health care providers can follow known medical approaches to treat these illnesses. Long COVID may also include non-specific symptoms that can be more difficult to recognize and manage. These symptoms include tiredness or fatigue, “brain fog,” and anxiety, among others. It is also possible to experience a combination of illnesses and symptoms. So far, there is no known test or treatment for Long COVID.

  • Who is more likely to get Long COVID?

    Scientists are working to answer this question. They think people are more at risk if they:

    • Had severe COVID-19, for example, if they were sick enough to be hospitalized
    • Had other health conditions such as diabetes or a lung condition before getting COVID-19
    • Did not get a COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Is Long COVID considered a disability?

    Yes, Long COVID can be a disability under federal civil rights laws. Someone with Long COVID has a disability if their symptoms substantially limit one or more major life activities, some of which include walking, standing, concentrating, thinking, communicating, or working. Federal laws protect people with disabilities from discrimination by employers, schools, and health care providers. Long COVID disability guidance is available from the Department of Health and Human Services.

  • How can Long COVID be prevented?

    The best prevention is to avoid getting COVID-19 in the first place. Vaccination lowers the chances of getting COVID-19 and then getting Long COVID. People should also take other steps to avoid COVID-19, like wearing a mask indoors in areas with high CDC COVID-19 Community Levels.

  • What should I do if I think I have Long COVID?

    Talk with your health care provider. There is no test for Long COVID, but your provider may do tests to understand what’s happening in your body. If they diagnose you with Long COVID, they will work with you to choose a treatment that is best for you, based on your symptoms.


    Follow these tips to prepare for an appointment with your doctor.  It’s helpful to have the following information at your appointment:

    • A brief history of their experience with COVID-19 and Long COVID
    • A list of medications
    • A list of questions and concerns

    Connect with a Post COVID Care Center (PCCC) for treatment. There are a growing number of PCCC’s in Massachusetts, but unfortunately none is western MA at this time. Find locations here.


  • Long COVID Research

    The Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative is a study that aims to understand, prevent, and treat Long COVID. RECOVER hopes to understand how many people have Long COVID, who is at risk, and why some people recover while others do not.


    Anyone can volunteer to participate. This includes people who currently have COVID, people who had COVID in the past, and people who have never had COVID. Recovercovid.org has more about how to join the study.

  • More Resources

    For Patients:

    Support groups:

    For Caregivers:

    For Physicians:

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