Long COVID's Lingering Shadow: Pain Emerges as a Persistent Foe

Long COVID: The Overwhelming Presence of Pain

Long COVID can manifest in a myriad of ways, presenting over 100 different symptoms. Recent research has shed light on a particularly troubling trend: *pain* may emerge as the most common complaint among those suffering from its effects. A study published on August 28 in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Open indicates that pain constitutes about a quarter of the symptoms reported by individuals grappling with long COVID. This physical discomfort notably surpasses neuropsychological issues, fatigue, and shortness of breath, highlighting a significant aspect of the condition.

Dr. W. Michael Brode, the medical director of the Post-COVID-19 Program at UT Health Austin, confirms what many healthcare providers across the globe are observing. “Pain is very common among long COVID patients,” he shared. “Individuals may experience chest, abdominal pain, headaches, and migraines, but the predominant types often relate to muscle aches and nerve pain characterized by numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation.”

As the phenomenon of long COVID continues to evolve, understanding this illness presents its own set of challenges. “Currently, there is no universally accepted definition of long COVID,” Dr. Brode explained. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aligns with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, defining long COVID as a chronic condition that occurs post-SARS-CoV-2 infection and persists for at least three months. The spectrum of symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, brain fog, and muscle pain, to name a few.

Diagnosing long COVID is not straightforward. Physicians typically assess a patient’s medical history and perform physical exams, and while diagnostic testing may be conducted, no single lab test can definitively confirm a diagnosis of long COVID.

To explore the most prevalent symptoms of long COVID, researchers at University College London gathered self-reported data from over 1,000 individuals in England and Wales using an app named *Living With COVID Recovery*. Each participant had been experiencing long COVID symptoms for a