Tiredness, shortness of breath, muscle ache and difficulty concentrating are the most common symptoms among individuals suffering from long Covid, according to official data.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data covering 10 April to 12 June 2023 found weakness or tiredness was the most common symptom reported as part of individuals’ experience of long Covid (60%), followed by shortness of breath (48%), muscle ache (42%), difficulty concentrating (37%) and joint pain (34%).
One in five (19%) respondents with long Covid said their ability to undertake day-to-day activities had been “limited a lot” by the condition.
The most frequently reported symptoms were weakness or tiredness (88%), followed by shortness of breath (73%), muscle ache (70%), difficulty concentrating (66%) and joint pain (61%).
The median number of symptoms reported was six out of a possible total of 34 among respondents experiencing long Covid, but this rose to 12 fr those reporting their day-to-day activities had been limited a lot.
In comparison, the median was six for those whose activities were reduced “a little”, and two for those whose symptoms did not reduce their activity levels at all.
More than half (55%) of respondents who self-reported long Covid said their symptoms worsened after either mental or physical effort, or both – while 30% said their symptoms did not get worse and 15% did not know.
The Covid-19 and Respiratory Infections Survey (CRIS) collected data on the characteristics and symptoms of those with self-reported long Covid, alongside other factors.
The survey built on the legacy of the UK Coronavirus (Covid-19) Infection Survey (CIS), which had been commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).