The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

We need to brace for a tsunami of long COVID. But we're not quite sure the best way to treat it

  • Written by Peter Wark, Conjoint Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle
We need to brace for a tsunami of long COVID. But we're not quite sure the best way to treat it

Australia’s Omicron wave earlier this year was much larger than we thought, recent research[1] has confirmed. We also heard Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledge[2] Australia can expect a “very big wave[3]” of people with long COVID over the next few years.

Doctors and researchers have been warning[4] about the growing threat of long COVID, as restrictions ease and case numbers climb.

So we need to take an urgent look at how we manage and treat it.

Read more: We calculated the impact of 'long COVID' as Australia opens up. Even without Omicron, we're worried[5]

Remind me again, what’s long COVID?

More than 7 million[6] Australians have had COVID; most have recovered from the acute illness. But some have lingering symptoms for months, or longer.

The World Health Organization defines[7] long COVID as symptoms present three months after infection, lasting at least two months, that cannot be attributed to other diagnoses.

The most common symptoms include: fatigue, especially after activity, shortness of breath, brain fog or difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, chronic cough, muscle aches and pains, loss of smell or taste, depression and anxiety.

But there is no one test that diagnoses long COVID. So this multitude of complex symptoms makes it a difficult condition to track down, study and treat.

Read more: Fatigue after COVID is way more than just feeling tired. 5 tips on what to do about it[8]

Who’s more likely to get long COVID?

The risk of long COVID is increased[9] in people[10] who have had[11] more severe COVID, women and people with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, or chronic lung or heart disease.

A US study[12] looked at 4.5 million people treated in the community or in hospital, and followed them to see if they developed long COVID. At six months, 7% had symptoms.

Worryingly this study also suggests being vaccinated only reduced the risk of long COVID by 15%[13]. Symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue were present and vaccination seemed only partly protective against them.

How do we treat long COVID?

Australia’s National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce’s recommendations[14] for treating long COVID were updated in May. But these borrow heavily from UK recommendations and the evidence backing these recommendations is at best weak.

In the UK[15] “long COVID clinics” have adopted a medical-led holistic model of care. This involves GPs, specialists and allied health workers, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and exercise physiologists. Similar clinics have been set up[16] in Australia.

However, the advice for such clinics is based on consensus and experience of similar conditions, such as chronic fatigue, and what we know about how people recover after leaving intensive care, rather than the results of robust studies focusing on long COVID.

UK advice for treating long COVID involves[17] looking for and managing COVID complications that may affect the lungs, lead to heart disease and managing other existing conditions, such as obesity and diabetes. It also recommends assessing and managing anxiety and depression, which not surprisingly is common in people with long COVID.

UK guidelines advise[18] supporting people to manage their own symptoms, including getting support from their GP, then referral to specialist services when needed.

Read more: Five tips for young people dealing with long COVID – from a GP[19]

If people had COVID pneumonia – especially those who went to intensive care, still have breathing problems and are weak – there is some limited evidence pulmonary rehabilitation helps. This is out-patient care with specialist physiotherapists and nurses, involving breathing exercises, education and support.

Two small trials have shown pulmonary rehabilitation[20], improves[21] breathlessness, exercise capacity, fatigue and quality of life. So this is now recommended.

How to manage fatigue, pain and brain fog?

However, breathing problems are only one component[22] of long COVID.

For people with long COVID and severe fatigue or pain following exertion, a standard exercise program may make things worse. Here, the recommendation is[23] for an initial period of rest then incremental increase in activity, often over many months. However, the optimal approach is not defined.

Neurological symptoms of poor concentration or brain fog, sleep disturbance and altered taste are common, but as yet there are no agreed or proven therapies[24].

Read more: Has COVID affected your sleep? Here’s how viruses can change our sleeping patterns[25]

Some people with the most severe neurological symptoms and fatigue develop a disabling condition known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome[26] or POTS. When people stand up, their heart races and blood pressure falls. This leads to severe fatigue, headaches and difficulty concentrating.

This condition can be treated[27] by modifying someone’s diet and taking medication. We know this because we see POTS after other infectious diseases or other prolonged, severe diseases that lead to hospitalisation. However, we need clinical trials for these therapies for long COVID to see which treatments work and for whom.

What’s in the future

There are many aspects of long COVID that health authorities, doctors and researchers have yet to pin down.

We still don’t know what causes long COVID, we don’t have a universally accepted definition of it, robust data to say how many Australians are or will be affected, nor a concrete plan of how to manage the many thousands of cases we can expect. So evidence-based treatments for long COVID are only part of the picture.

But the problem we face is here now. We cannot wait for gold-standard evidence to come in before we start treating people.

In the meantime, people need reliable information about the symptoms of long COVID, what to expect and where to go for help. And health professionals need to take their symptoms seriously.

Read more: Social media, activism, trucker caps: the fascinating story behind long COVID[28]

Health professionals also need training in how to manage people with long COVID, targeting appropriate investigations and treatments that will benefit people the most.

That does not just mean specialised long COVID clinics in capital cities, though it is likely we will need these to help people with the most debilitating problems.

Our response will also need to leverage help from a range of existing health providers, and a coordinated response to deal with symptoms that range from mild to severely debilitating. People need support for rehabilitation, mental health and return to work or study.

If we do not start planning and preparing now, the problem will only worsen.

Read more: First, COVID hit disadvantaged communities harder. Now, long COVID delivers them a further blow[29]

References

  1. ^ recent research (www.ncirs.org.au)
  2. ^ acknowledge (twitter.com)
  3. ^ very big wave (www.health.gov.au)
  4. ^ warning (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ We calculated the impact of 'long COVID' as Australia opens up. Even without Omicron, we're worried (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ 7 million (www.health.gov.au)
  7. ^ defines (www.who.int)
  8. ^ Fatigue after COVID is way more than just feeling tired. 5 tips on what to do about it (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ is increased (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. ^ in people (www.sciencedirect.com)
  11. ^ who have had (www.sciencedirect.com)
  12. ^ US study (www.nature.com)
  13. ^ by 15% (www.nature.com)
  14. ^ recommendations (covid19evidence.net.au)
  15. ^ In the UK (bjgp.org)
  16. ^ set up (www.svhlunghealth.com.au)
  17. ^ involves (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  18. ^ UK guidelines advise (www.nice.org.uk)
  19. ^ Five tips for young people dealing with long COVID – from a GP (theconversation.com)
  20. ^ pulmonary rehabilitation (openres.ersjournals.com)
  21. ^ improves (www.karger.com)
  22. ^ one component (www.medrxiv.org)
  23. ^ recommendation is (academic.oup.com)
  24. ^ no agreed or proven therapies (www.sciencedirect.com)
  25. ^ Has COVID affected your sleep? Here’s how viruses can change our sleeping patterns (theconversation.com)
  26. ^ postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (link.springer.com)
  27. ^ can be treated (www.hopkinsmedicine.org)
  28. ^ Social media, activism, trucker caps: the fascinating story behind long COVID (theconversation.com)
  29. ^ First, COVID hit disadvantaged communities harder. Now, long COVID delivers them a further blow (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/we-need-to-brace-for-a-tsunami-of-long-covid-but-were-not-quite-sure-the-best-way-to-treat-it-183824

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...