Researchers better define long COVID

To better identify people with long COVID, researchers have identified 12 distinguishing symptoms and have developed a symptom-based scoring system.

Their report, published in JAMA, used survey data from nearly 10,000 individuals to define the symptoms: postexertional malaise, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, GI symptoms, heart palpitations, changes in sexual desire or capacity, loss of or change in smell or taste, thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, and abnormal movements.

The researchers assessed data from a symptoms survey distributed at 85 hospitals, health centers, and community organizations across 33 states; Washington, DC; and Puerto Rico. The study included 8,646 people who contracted COVID-19 and 1,118 uninfected people who served as controls.