Long COVID

Authored by: Jennifer Chen

Art by: Eileen Cho

Although the more known phase of COVID-19 ended, for millions of people, the battle was far from over. While public attention has largely shifted away from the pandemic, a substantial population continues to deal with persistent neurological and cognitive symptoms, which are now recognized as long COVID. These long-term brain-related symptoms affect those who were severely ill and individuals who experienced relatively mild initial infections.

A comprehensive meta-analysis examining over 4 million recovered COVID-19 patients showed that neurological and cognitive symptoms persist for at least six months after infection in a significant portion of survivors [1]. Fatigue affects approximately 43% of recovered patients, while cognitive impairment and memory disorders each impact roughly 27-28% of individuals. In addition, sleep disturbances affect nearly one in four people. Together, these symptoms represent challenges to daily functioning that can persist for years after the initial infection. Understanding these effects is crucial because awareness remains limited. Recognizing Long COVID signs can help individuals seek care sooner and allow loved ones to provide informed support. Greater awareness ultimately leads to improved health outcomes and ensures these lingering effects are taken seriously instead of being dismissed.

Importantly, research shows that these long-term cognitive effects are not limited to those who experienced severe COVID-19. A Latin American study comparing hospitalized versus non-hospitalized Long COVID patients found that although cognitive impairment was more widespread among those who required hospitalization, even individuals who had only mild disease frequently reported persistent attention and memory deficits years after infection [2]. This finding challenges the assumption that only patients with severe COVID-19 need to worry about long-term consequences. It also emphasizes why raising awareness about Long COVID is important; individuals may not realize that the lingering symptoms they or people close to them experience could be part of a clinically recognized condition.

Unfortunately, despite the growing evidence documenting these long-term effects, treatment options for Long COVID’s symptoms remain limited. The healthcare system has been slow to adapt to the Long COVID crisis and many patients report that their symptoms are dismissed or minimized by healthcare providers who lack training in recognizing and treating this condition [3]. Although specialized Long COVID clinics have been established in select areas, they are not universally accessible, leaving many patients without adequate medical support [4]. 

This gap in healthcare demonstrates that Long COVID’s impact requires a coordinated response rather than inadequate or location-dependent resources. To begin addressing these challenges, healthcare policy can play a crucial role by ensuring insurance coverage for Long COVID treatments and supporting research into effective interventions. Many patients currently face high out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic tests, rehabilitation therapies, and specialist visits, which can worsen health disparities [5]. Policy reform that guarantees equitable access to care would help prevent socioeconomic status from becoming an obstacle to recovery and ensure that all affected individuals receive the support they need. Additionally, expanding provider education through mandatory training modules could improve early recognition and management of Long COVID symptoms, which would allow clinicians to offer more knowledgeable care across different regions and healthcare settings.

Long COVID represents one of the most significant public health challenges of our time, affecting millions of people's ability to think clearly, remember important information, and maintain the energy needed for daily life. As we move further from the pandemic, we cannot afford to forget those living with its lasting effects and should take action.

References

1. Toka Elboraay, Ebada, M. A., Elsayed, M., Heba Ahmed Aboeldahab, Hazem Mohamed Salamah, Rageh, O., Elmallahy, M., Hadeer Elsaeed AboElfarh, Mansour, L. S., Yehia Nabil, Khaled, A., Hany Atwan, & Souad Alkanj. (2025). Long-term neurological and cognitive impact of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis in over 4 million patients. BMC Neurology, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04174-9 

2. Hurtado, C., Diego Fernando Rojas-Gualdrón, Pérez, G. S., Esteban Villegas Arbelaez, Ernesto, S., Campuzano-Sierra, M., Ospina-Patino, S., Arroyave-Bustamante, M., Uribe-Vizcarra, V., Restrepo-Arbelaez, D., Cardona, P., Julián Llano-Piedrahita, Vásquez-Builes, S., Agudelo-Quintero, E., Vélez-Arroyave, J., Menges, S., Jimenez, M., Miller, J., Quique, Y. M., & Koralnik, I. J. (2024). Neurologic manifestations of Long COVID in Colombia: a comparative analysis of post-hospitalization vs. non-hospitalized patients. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2024.1450110 

3. Au, L.; Capotescu, C.; Eyal, G.; Finestone, G. Long Covid and Medical Gaslighting: Dismissal, Delayed Diagnosis, and Deferred Treatment. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health 2022, 2 (100167), 100167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100167.

4. CDC. (2025, July 24). Long COVID Clinical Guidance. Long COVID. https://www.cdc.gov/long-covid/hcp/clinical-guidance/index.html 

5. Bifulco, L.; Grzejszczak, L.; Velez, I.; Angelocci, T.; Anderson, D. A Qualitative Investigation of Uninsured Patient and Primary Care Provider Perspectives on Specialty Care EConsults. BMC Health Services Research 2023, 23 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10086-6.