The long-lasting symptoms can affect around one in seven people who test positive for coronavirus, and is known as long Covid.
A new survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released today (1 September) shows that more than 400,000 people in the UK have had long Covid for over two years.
A total of two million people across the country are estimated to be suffering from long Covid, according to the survey.
Some 429,000 – the equivalent of around one in five (22%) – first had Covid-19, or suspected they had the virus, at least 24 months previously.
The number of people with long Covid who first had the virus at least one year ago is estimated to be 892,000, or 45% of the total.
The figures are based on self-reported long Covid from a representative sample of people in private households in the four weeks to 31 July.
Researchers are still learning about the long-lasting effects, but these are the most common symptoms of long Covid that have been reported so far.
5. Difficulty sleeping
“Many people recovering from Covid notice their sleep has changed” the NHS says. The NHS recommends developing a bedtime routine, avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol and keeping screens (like TVs, phones, laptops) out of the bedroom, in order to improve your sleep. Photo: Shutterstock
6. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations, according to the NHS, are harmless in most cases and are not signs of a serious problem - however, you should seek immediate medical attention if the heart palpitations are accompanied with chest pain, dizziness or blackouts/loss of consciousness. Photo: Shutterstock
7. Dizziness
The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre states that “between 30 per cent to 50 per cent of respondents were experiencing the following symptoms after six months of symptoms” and listed “dizziness and balance issues”. Photo: Shutterstock
8. Pins and needles
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE) lists the feeling of pins and needles (known as peripheral neuropathy symptoms) as one of the more common neurological symptoms of long Covid. Photo: Shutterstock