Long COVID is an infection-associated chronic condition that remains a serious public health concern. It is defined as a chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months.
It includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen or be ongoing. According to the CDC, while Long COVID can occur in anyone who gets a SARS-CoV-2 infection, some people or groups of people are at higher risk of developing Long COVID. These include women, people with underlying conditions, people who experienced more severe outcomes of COVID-19 and people of Hispanic ethnicity.
Vaccination provides the best protection against hospitalization and death from COVID-19 and reduces your risk of developing Long COVID. Schedule your updated COVID-19 vaccine at vaccinate918.com.
If you or someone you know is experiencing long COVID, connecting with support groups and exploring resources can make a difference. Stay informed and share this with someone who could benefit from learning more!
Use this Long COVID Symptom Checker to take to your next health care appointment.
New Study Highlights Sex Differences in Long COVID Risk
Did you know? Females are 31% more likely to develop long COVID than males, with women aged 40–55 facing the highest risk.
A groundbreaking study led by UT Health San Antonio, funded by the National Institutes of Health through the RECOVER initiative, followed over 12,000 participants across the U.S. to uncover these critical findings. The study evaluated factors such as age, pregnancy, menopausal status, and more, helping healthcare teams better understand and treat long COVID.
Key Findings:
- Risk Factor: Females have a “risk ratio” of 1.31 compared to males.
- What is a risk ratio? It measures how much more likely one group (in this case, females) is to experience a condition compared to another group (males). A risk ratio of 1.31 means females have a 31% higher likelihood of developing long COVID.
- Highest Risk Group: Women aged 40–55, especially menopausal participants.
Learn More:
- NIH RECOVER Initiative: https://recovercovid.org
- Full Study: Shah, D. P., et al. (2025). Sex Differences in Long COVID. JAMA Network Open. Read here
- CDC Long COVID Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/
- NIH Long COVID Research Overview: https://covid19.nih.gov/covid-19-topics/long-covid
- Long COVID Support Groups via the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/resources-support.html
