In mild or moderate cases
Most people who develop COVID-19 experience a mild or moderate illness that improves on its own. However, some people who have had a mild or moderate illness go on to develop lasting symptoms that can be severe — even after they have recovered from the initial infection.
When these symptoms are prolonged, people sometimes refer to the issue as “long COVID” or to the people who have it as “long-haulers.”
People with mild or moderate COVID-19 oftenTrusted Source go on to report:
extreme fatigue
muscle weakness
a low-grade fever
trouble concentrating
lapses in memory
mood changes
trouble sleeping
headaches
a sensation of pins and needles
diarrhea
vomiting
a loss of taste and smell
a sore throat
difficulties swallowing
skin rashes
shortness of breath
chest pain
heart palpitations
the new onset of diabetes or high blood pressure
These symptoms may last for weeks or months after the body has cleared the virus.
It seems that anyone, including young people and those with no preexisting health conditions, can develop long COVID. Citing a telephone survey, the World Health Organization (WHO) observe that 20%Trusted Source of people aged 18–34 reported prolonged symptoms.
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