Over 275 million individuals worldwide have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acute COVID-19 infection usually lasts up to 4 weeks, but a significant number of individuals continue experiencing symptoms beyond the initial course of illness (after an individual no longer tests positive for COVID-19). This was the case when speaking to family members recovering from COVID infection. Months following the initial infection, they insisted that they just did not feel like their true self. This included neurocognitive difficulties and a hard time getting back up to speed with their usual tasks.
The lengthy recovery from COVID is not unique to individuals with previously existing health conditions or in older populations. The 23-year-old NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum, who is a prolific athlete in peak physical condition, admitted to an uphill battle during his COVID recovery over 1 month following his initial diagnosis. The persisting symptoms were accompanied by a drop in performance. It must be understood that the course of symptoms following COVID may be unique for each individual. Taken together, it can also be highlighted that the severity of symptoms following the initial diagnosis may be independent of one's current physical condition.
Long COVID
The course of symptoms following initial diagnosis is referred to as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, or long COVID.
