Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFatigue as a SymptomWhat It Feels LikeFactorsTreatmentSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Fatigue as a Symptom
What It Feels Like
Factors
Treatment
Seeking Medical Care
demaerre / Getty Images
Why Fatigue Is a Long COVID Symptom
SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) triggers the production of IFN-y (an antiviral protein). This is associated with fatigue, muscle aches, and depression. A 2024 study found that while for most people, production of this protein stops once the virus has cleared, for some people with long COVID, IFN-y production continues until symptoms improve (up to 31 months in this study).
An analysis performed through the University of Alberta in Canada found that the 30 people with long COVID showed persistentmetabolomicabnormalities 12 months after their illness with acute COVID-19, such as:
Describing COVID Fatigue
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines long COVID as:
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of long COVID. Post-COVID fatigue is more than feeling tired. It is multifaceted and complex and can involve the following:
Factors That Exacerbate Fatigue After COVID
Factors that have been associated with anincreased risk of long COVIDand/or post-COVID fatigue include:
Treatment for COVID Fatigue
Preventing COVID infection is currently the best way to prevent long COVID. While strict protocols for COVID are no longer in effect, it is important to continue to exercise prevention strategies, such as:
Research on how best to treat long COVID is ongoing as the condition is new. Currently, the medical community recommends measures that have been shown to help conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as ME/CFS, Parkinson’s disease, concussion, stroke, and brain injury.
One area of research suggests atranscutaneouselectrical nerve stimulation (TENS)machine may be used in treating fatigue associated with long COVID, but more research is needed.
Research also suggests that post-COVID fatigue symptoms can improve over time, with varying rates of symptom duration.
Some specialists that may help address symptoms of long COVID or help you find resources include:
Managing Fatigue
Energy conservationis important with chronic fatigue. Energy works like a battery: It can run out with use and needs to be recharged. To help with using energy efficiently, try the fourPs:
Plan:
Pace:
Prioritize:
Position:
It is also important to look after your overall health:
Managing Brain Fog
The fourPs are helpful when managingbrain fogas well. In addition to this strategy, you can also try:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Fatigue and brain fog can be symptoms of conditions other than long COVID. It is important to see your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms of fatigue or brain fog, whether or not you have recently had a COVID-19 infection. This is especially important if there are factors such as:
Summary
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of long COVID.
Fatigue associated with long COVID has symptoms that can impair daily functioning, such as exhaustion,muscle weaknessand aches, and brain fog.
There is no specific recommended treatment for post-COVID fatigue, but symptoms can be managed with techniques such as the fourPs, and with prioritizing rest and energy conservation.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vu QM, Fitzpatrick AL, Cope JR, et al.Estimates of Incidence and Predictors of Fatiguing Illness after SARS-CoV-2 Infection.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2024;30(3):539-547. doi:10.3201/eid3003.231194.University of Cambridge.Long COVID linked to persistently high levels of inflammatory protein: a potential biomarker and target for treatments.University of Alberta.The sickest long COVID patients face symptoms identical to chronic fatigue syndrome.Gross M, Lansang NM, Gopaul U, et al.What Do I Need to Know About Long-Covid-related Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Mental Health Changes?.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;104(6):996-1002. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2022.11.021Maffitt, N.J., Germann, M., Baker, A.M.E. et al.Recovery of neurophysiological measures in post-COVID fatigue: a 12-month longitudinal follow-up study. Sci Rep 14, 8874 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-59232-yNational Health Service.Post-Covid: fatigue.British Heart Foundation.Long Covid: symptoms, tests, treatment and support.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Long COVID basics.Santé Montérégie.Fatigue and COVID-19.Yale Medicine.What happens when you still have long COVID symptoms?Newcastle University.Unlocking the secrets of long Covid.Santé Montérégie.Brain fog and COVID-19.Bond University.Fatigue after COVID is way more than just feeling tired. 5 tips on what to do about it.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vu QM, Fitzpatrick AL, Cope JR, et al.Estimates of Incidence and Predictors of Fatiguing Illness after SARS-CoV-2 Infection.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2024;30(3):539-547. doi:10.3201/eid3003.231194.University of Cambridge.Long COVID linked to persistently high levels of inflammatory protein: a potential biomarker and target for treatments.University of Alberta.The sickest long COVID patients face symptoms identical to chronic fatigue syndrome.Gross M, Lansang NM, Gopaul U, et al.What Do I Need to Know About Long-Covid-related Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Mental Health Changes?.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;104(6):996-1002. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2022.11.021Maffitt, N.J., Germann, M., Baker, A.M.E. et al.Recovery of neurophysiological measures in post-COVID fatigue: a 12-month longitudinal follow-up study. Sci Rep 14, 8874 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-59232-yNational Health Service.Post-Covid: fatigue.British Heart Foundation.Long Covid: symptoms, tests, treatment and support.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Long COVID basics.Santé Montérégie.Fatigue and COVID-19.Yale Medicine.What happens when you still have long COVID symptoms?Newcastle University.Unlocking the secrets of long Covid.Santé Montérégie.Brain fog and COVID-19.Bond University.Fatigue after COVID is way more than just feeling tired. 5 tips on what to do about it.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vu QM, Fitzpatrick AL, Cope JR, et al.Estimates of Incidence and Predictors of Fatiguing Illness after SARS-CoV-2 Infection.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2024;30(3):539-547. doi:10.3201/eid3003.231194.University of Cambridge.Long COVID linked to persistently high levels of inflammatory protein: a potential biomarker and target for treatments.University of Alberta.The sickest long COVID patients face symptoms identical to chronic fatigue syndrome.Gross M, Lansang NM, Gopaul U, et al.What Do I Need to Know About Long-Covid-related Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Mental Health Changes?.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;104(6):996-1002. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2022.11.021Maffitt, N.J., Germann, M., Baker, A.M.E. et al.Recovery of neurophysiological measures in post-COVID fatigue: a 12-month longitudinal follow-up study. Sci Rep 14, 8874 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-59232-yNational Health Service.Post-Covid: fatigue.British Heart Foundation.Long Covid: symptoms, tests, treatment and support.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Long COVID basics.Santé Montérégie.Fatigue and COVID-19.Yale Medicine.What happens when you still have long COVID symptoms?Newcastle University.Unlocking the secrets of long Covid.Santé Montérégie.Brain fog and COVID-19.Bond University.Fatigue after COVID is way more than just feeling tired. 5 tips on what to do about it.
Vu QM, Fitzpatrick AL, Cope JR, et al.Estimates of Incidence and Predictors of Fatiguing Illness after SARS-CoV-2 Infection.Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2024;30(3):539-547. doi:10.3201/eid3003.231194.
University of Cambridge.Long COVID linked to persistently high levels of inflammatory protein: a potential biomarker and target for treatments.
University of Alberta.The sickest long COVID patients face symptoms identical to chronic fatigue syndrome.
Gross M, Lansang NM, Gopaul U, et al.What Do I Need to Know About Long-Covid-related Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Mental Health Changes?.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;104(6):996-1002. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2022.11.021
Maffitt, N.J., Germann, M., Baker, A.M.E. et al.Recovery of neurophysiological measures in post-COVID fatigue: a 12-month longitudinal follow-up study. Sci Rep 14, 8874 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-59232-y
National Health Service.Post-Covid: fatigue.
British Heart Foundation.Long Covid: symptoms, tests, treatment and support.
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Long COVID basics.
Santé Montérégie.Fatigue and COVID-19.
Yale Medicine.What happens when you still have long COVID symptoms?
Newcastle University.Unlocking the secrets of long Covid.
Santé Montérégie.Brain fog and COVID-19.
Bond University.Fatigue after COVID is way more than just feeling tired. 5 tips on what to do about it.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
