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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Matthew Dresch

Brits with 'long covid' are suffering with coronavirus symptoms months after diagnosis

Half a million Brits are believed to be coronavirus 'long haulers', suffering symptoms months after first testing positive.

Those with 'long covid' have listed up to 16 effects they are still experiencing, including fatigue, hair loss and insomnia.

Researchers at North Bristol NHS Trust discovered that 81 of 110 discharged patients had symptoms when they were invited back for a check-up.

The key signs of coronavirus are a continuous cough, a high temperature and a loss of smell and taste.

The all-party parliamentary group (APPG) of MPs on coronavirus has formed a list of 16 symptoms that 'long haulers' are suffering from.

'Long haulers' have reported a dizzying array of symptoms (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Here is the list of symptoms:

    1. Hair loss

    Around one in four coronavirus patients have apparently suffered hair loss after recovering from the disease, a survey found.

    Doctors say a condition called telogen effluvium, which results in the temporary loss of hair, usually occurs if a patient has been in a stressful situation, the Sun reports.

    It can affect the top of the head, with serious cases also spreading to the eyebrows and other parts of the body.

    2. High temperature

    Many 'long haulers' are still suffering spiking temperatures - a common symptom of coronavirus.

    A normal body temperature is 37C, with 37.8C or higher classed as a fever.

    Diarrhoea is another 'long Covid' symptom (Getty Images)

    3. Diarrhoea

    America has already added diarrhoea to its official list of symptoms.

    King's College London data suggests diarrhoea is also a sign of Covid-19.

    4. Exhaustion

    Many coronavirus patients are still suffering from chronic fatigue months after testing positive.

    Some have told how they struggle to carry out even basic activities such as walking up the stairs.

    5. Chest pain

    The World Health Organisation previously warned the disease may leave sufferers feeling a tightness across their chest.

    This symptom was also picked up by King's College London's Covid Symptom Study app.

    Chest pain is another effect of coronavirus (Getty Images)

    6. Insomnia

    Some patients have suffered insomnia after recovering from the disease.

    Around 40% of Covid-19 survivors who took part in a study at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan said they were unable to sleep.

    7. Hallucinations

    Coronavirus may result in hallucinations for some people, according to a University of Exeter medical school expert.

    Dr David Strain said the disease could cause delirium in three ways - spreading to the brain, depriving it of oxygen or causing inflammation.

    Doctors have picked up on rashes on patients' toes (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

    8. 'Covid toes'

    Purple lesions and blisters have been spotted on patients' toes.

    Doctors think it could be the result of inflammation, which has been linked to coronavirus.

    9. Chills

    Many 'long haulers' have also reported the chills alongside high temperatures.

    Chills are a feature of fevers and make people shiver and shake.

    Some sufferers experience the chills (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

    10. Disorientation

    Some 'long Covid' sufferers feel uneasy within their surroundings.

    This symptom is one of many neurological issues reported by patients months after being diagnosed.

    11. Memory loss

    Memory loss is another symptom which has stayed with some survivors.

    Experts think this happens if the virus infects the brain.

    12. Breathing issues

    Shortness of breath is one of the most frequent complaints of people recovering from the disease.

    The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists this as one of the main symptoms of the disease, which targets the lungs.

    Coronavirus causes breathing issues as it targets the lungs (Supplied)

    13. Muscle aches

    Coronavirus can cause inflammation of the muscles, leaving sufferers feeling sore.

    'Long haulers' claim they are still experiencing body aches, making any movement painfull.

    14. Tachycardia - a heart rate of over 100 beats a minute

    A high heart rate is another scary effect still being felt by some recovering patients.

    A normal heart is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, however coronavirus sufferers are experiencing over 100 beats a minute.

    15. Vomiting

    Around 5 per cent of coronavirus sufferers in China suffered from nausea, with some Brits claiming they are still vomiting from the disease.

    The World Health Organisation said gastrointestinal issues including nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea appear to be affecting 3-5% of patients.

    16. Arrhythmia - heart rate issues

    Some 'long haulers' have reported their heart rate beating either too fast or too slow.

    This may feel as though your heart is out of sync with its natural rhythm.

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