The COVID-19 virus’s symptoms have left many bewildered due to the variety and time that a person may experience them. Some patients find their symptoms improve within a few weeks, while others continue to battle symptoms for much longer. Discover what researchers are learning about the long-haul symptoms, including what they typically are and when to expect them.* 

What are the long-haul COVID-19 symptoms?

Researchers are finding many of the long-haul symptoms come in waves and at regular intervals, usually a week to 10 days apart. The symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell

What are the chances of becoming a “long-hauler”?

Researchers have found that 50 to 80 percent of people who recover from COVID-19 have lingering after-effects for at least 3 months after infection. It is also more common for women and those hospitalized with a severe form of COVID-19 to experience long-haul symptoms. 

What is research showing about the waves of long-haul symptoms? 

One study in California surveyed 5,163 COVID-19 patients and found symptoms to manifest at regular intervals – often a week to 10 days apart. From their survey, the common symptoms along with when they were experienced are:

• Initial symptoms: Fatigue, headache, fever, and chills
• Five days post-infection: Possible diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
• 10 days post-infection: Body pain and neurological problems like dizziness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating
• 15 days post-infection: High or low blood pressure, heart palpitations, and lightheadedness 
• 21-day post-infection: Mouth sores, twitchy muscles, eye infections, and skin conditions

Diana Berrent, a COVID-19 survivor and founder at Survivor Corps, explains how each COVID-19 case is different and says, “Some people are chronically [long-term] sick from day one. For others, you think you feel better then you are hit by another wave and another wave.” Berrent adds, “The good news for people who are experiencing symptoms in waves is that the waves do seem to get milder over time, at least anecdotally.” 

What causes the waves of long-haul symptoms and can it be treated?

Dr. Peter Staats, the medical advisor to Survivor Corps, says the waxing and waning of COVID-19 symptoms may be caused by either:

• Organ and/or blood vessel damage caused by the virus
• Persistent inflammation from an immune overreaction or virus lingering in the body 

While treatment plans are best when individualized and should come from your doctor, some research is suggesting that COVID-19 vaccination may ease symptoms. 

*Curley, B. (2021, March 17). Long-Haul COVID-19 Symptoms May Appear in This Order. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/long-haul-covid-19-symptoms-may-appear-in-this-order

Much about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is still not fully understood. As research progresses and our knowledge of the virus increases, information about it can change rapidly. We strive to update all of our articles as quickly as possible, but some “lag” may occur between scientific developments and our revisions.