Summarised by Centrist
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) have issued a new, broad definition of long COVID to enhance consistency in diagnosis, documentation, and treatment for both adults and children.
Long COVID is now defined as a chronic condition occurring at least three months post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. It presents with symptoms like extreme fatigue, POTS, heartbeat irregularities, shortness of breath, and sleep disturbances, among others.
The condition can exacerbate pre existing health issues or manifest new ones, without requiring laboratory confirmation of the initial infection.
Approximately 7% of Americans are reported to experience long COVID. This new definition is expected to aid in clinical judgement, improve patient care, and support disability claims.
The definition will be reexamined within three years to incorporate new research and treatments.
Editor’s note: While the new definition of long COVID requires a prior COVID infection, it does not mandate laboratory confirmation of this initial infection. There is also no distinction whether the person has previously had the COVID vaccine.
