Even as acute COVID-19 has become more manageable, a substantial number of patients experience symptoms that persist for months. Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, often called long COVID, can follow even mild initial illness.
The presentation is heterogeneous. Fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive difficulty often described as brain fog, and post-exertional symptoms are among the most reported. There is no single diagnostic test, which makes careful clinical evaluation essential.
Evidence suggests that vaccination lowers the risk of developing long COVID, another reason to keep immunization current.
Management is supportive and multidisciplinary, coordinating rehabilitation, symptom-directed care, and validation of a condition that can be profoundly disabling. Infectious disease clinicians are often the first stop for patients seeking answers.