What Is Long Covid?

Long COVID, also known as Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), is a post-infectious condition characterized by a range of persistent symptoms and a “lack of return to a usual state of health” following a COVID-19 infection (CDC 2021). The symptoms and severity of Long COVID can vary widely between individuals, making it difficult to establish diagnostic criteria that are sufficiently inclusive. Adding to this challenge is the fact that Long COVID and other medical complications, such as organ damage, can emerge in a substantial minority of people who had mild or even asymptomatic cases of COVID-19. Due to substantial undertesting of COVID cases throughout the pandemic, the number of people who may ultimately be affected by post-COVID medical complications is not known.