Public Health On Call 970 - What We Know—and Still Don't Know—About Long COVID
Oct 30, 2025
Dr. Alba Azola, a rehabilitation physician and co-director at the Long COVID Clinic at Johns Hopkins, dives deep into the realities of long COVID. She discusses current prevalence, revealing that around 10% of those infected are affected. Azola highlights debilitating symptoms like severe fatigue and cognitive impairment, alongside the ongoing challenges of diagnosis due to the absence of definitive tests. She shares insights into possible biological mechanisms and advocates for continued research and support, drawing parallels to HIV activism.
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Long COVID Affects A Significant Minority
- About 10% of people infected with SARS‑CoV develop lingering symptoms classified as long COVID.
- Some patients remain severely impaired for years while new infections continue to trigger new cases.
Core Symptoms: Fatigue, Brain Fog, Dizziness
- Fatigue and cognitive impairment ("brain fog") are the predominant long COVID symptoms clinicians see.
- Orthostatic intolerance with dizziness and palpitations is also a common presentation.
Use Clinical Criteria And Timelines For Diagnosis
- Diagnose long COVID clinically by linking symptom onset to a SARS‑CoV infection and persistence for at least three months.
- Use clinician-driven interviews and screening tools to establish timelines and exclude prior conditions.