Post-COVID (Long Covid) Resources

The effects of COVID-19 may not end with acute infection. For some, certain symptoms and conditions can persist for weeks to months, or even longer, after illness. Post-COVID conditions are found more often in people who had severe COVID-19 illness, but anyone who has had COVID-19 can experience post-COVID conditions. Persisting conditions may occur in individuals of all ages and ethnicities. 

There is no test to diagnose post-COVID conditions, and people may have a wide variety of symptoms that could come from other health problems. This can make it difficult for healthcare providers to recognize post-COVID conditions. Your healthcare provider considers a diagnosis of post-COVID conditions based on your health history, including if you had a diagnosis of COVID-19 either by a positive test or by symptoms or exposure, as well as doing a health examination. The symptoms are similar to those reported by people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome).

Most people’ symptoms slowly improve with time. However, for some people, post-COVID conditions can last weeks, months, or longer after COVID-19 illness and can sometimes result in disability. The best way to prevent post-COVID conditions is to avoid getting COVID-19, even if you have already had it one or more times. There is evidence that being vaccinated against COVID-19 can also reduce your likelihood of experiencing long-term symptoms.

Long COVID Symptoms

The following resources have been developed to help individuals with Post-COVID conditions obtain the treatment, care, support, and information they need.

Post-COVID Care Centers in Massachusetts

Post-COVID care often requires a multidisciplinary approach. As more is understood about Post-COVID syndrome and its root causes, more treatment options are developed, trialed, and implemented.

Please note that these centers may require a positive test and/or physician referral in order to make an appointment. Each center offers different services.

Mass General Hospital COVID-19 Survivors Clinic
McCance Center for Brain Health
Consultation Services in neurology and neuropsychiatry to evaluate, treat, and conduct research on COVID-19 related neurological complications.
Website
Spaulding Rehab COVID Rehabilitation Program
Specialized, multidisciplinary care for rehabilitation of patients post COVID-19. Patients must have tested positive and received treatment for COVID-19 to be eligible. Program addresses ongoing symptoms that include but are not limited to shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, joint pain, headaches, functional impairments, weakness and balance problems, deconditioning, dysphagia. Program also offers behavioral and mental health services for people with emotional and psychological symptoms.
Website
Brigham and Women's Hospital COVID Recovery Center
Multidisciplinary COVID recovery center for patients with lingering symptoms and complications of COVID-19. Patients must have documentation of a positive PCR test or antibody test. 
Website
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Critical Illness and COVID-19 Survivorship Program
Multidisciplinary long-term recovery: Patients who have survived COVID at any severity, who need assistance regaining quality of life after illness. Program designed for patients who have post-COVID impairments including but not limited to respiratory, neurological, and physical impairments. 
Website
Emerson Hospital COVID-19 Recovery Program
Multidisciplinary long-term recovery: Treats the physical and cognitive decline associated with COVID, including impairments to strength, cardiovascular system, mobility, speech, swallowing, cognitive ability. 
Website
Baystate Physical Therapy Post-Acute COVID Care
Utilizes Mount Sinai program model to provide a multidisciplinary approach to aid COVID patients in their COVID recovery. Physical therapy addresses mobility deficits such as those impacting stair climbing, activities of daily living, recreational tasks, work-related activities.
Website
Boston Medical Center 
ReCOVer Long COVID Clinic
Comprehensive care for patients who still have COVID-19 symptoms more than four weeks after recovering from initial infection. Multidisciplinary team comprised of different specialties from across the hospital. 
Website
Boston Children's Hospital Pediatric Long-COVID Clinic
Multidisciplinary evaluation and care of children with long COVID. 
Call 617-355-6832 for information and to make an appointment.
Website


Support Groups and Organizations

  • Survivor Corps: Survivor Corps is the largest grassroots movement in America dedicated to connecting, educating, and supporting those affected by COVID-19. Survivor Corps supports ongoing research aimed at improving understanding of COVID-19, both in the context of acute and chronic symptoms. 
  • Body Politic: 11,000 member support group and advocacy campaign. This group provides its members with emotional support, resources, community, and opportunities for advocacy.
  • Long COVID Alliance: Network of patient advocates, scientists, disease experts, and drug developers. Mission to educate policy makers and accelerate research on long COVID and post-viral illness. 
  • Long COVID Kids: Mission to raise awareness and support for long COVID syndromes in children. Participates in ongoing research in pediatric post-COVID symptoms. Parents can seek support in an online forum, as well as report symptoms that their children have experienced.
  • Spaulding Rehab Virtual Support Group: For those who continue to suffer from ongoing symptoms of COVID-19. Interactive group guided by a licensed mental health counselor. Must be 18+ years old, and either have a diagnosis of COVID-19 or be a caregiver/loved one of someone with COVID-19. Free of cost.


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Current Research and Information

CDC COVID INSPIRE Study

  • Website
  • The CDC is seeking participants for a study called the Innovative Support for Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infections (INSPIRE). The study aims to gather information about long-term effects of COVID-19. Participants will describe how they are feeling by completing online surveys and share their medical information through secure, confidential, cloud-based platform.
  • Eligibility criteria:
    • Must be 18 years of age or older
    • Suspected COVID-19 symptoms within the past 6 weeks
    • Test for COVID-19 within the past 6 weeks (regardless of test results)
    • Access to a smart phone, tablet, or computer device with internet