{"id":13219,"date":"2023-02-10T21:44:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-11T02:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/physioextra.ca\/conseils-sante\/covid-longue-mythes\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T15:09:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T19:09:24","slug":"long-covid-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/physioextra.ca\/en\/health-tips\/long-covid-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"Myths and Realities of Long COVID: What We Know in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<article lang=\"en\">\n<h2>What is Long COVID?<\/h2>\n<h3>Terminology<\/h3>\n<p>Different terms are used to describe this condition:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Long COVID<\/strong>: the most common term used by the media and the general public<\/li>\n<li><strong>Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS)<\/strong>: the expression preferred by the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.gc.ca\/site\/science\/en\/office-chief-science-advisor\/initiatives-response-covid-19\/post-covid-19-condition-canada-state-knowledge-framework-action\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government of Canada<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Post-COVID-19 conditions<\/strong> or <strong>post-acute sequelae of COVID-19<\/strong>: more medical terminology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although the wording may differ, they all refer to the same reality: symptoms that persist beyond the acute phase of infection.<\/p>\n<h3>Internationally recognized definitions<\/h3>\n<p>There is not yet a single, universally accepted definition of Long COVID. Here are two of the most frequently cited references:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>World Health Organization (WHO, 2021)<\/strong>: Post-COVID condition usually occurs about three months after the onset of the illness, with symptoms lasting at least two months and not explained by an alternative diagnosis (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-post-covid-19-condition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">source: WHO<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM, 2024, United States)<\/strong>: Long COVID is described as a chronic infection-associated disease lasting at least three months, in a continuous, relapsing, or progressive form, affecting one or more organ systems (NASEM report, in English).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These definitions highlight the complexity of the syndrome and the diversity of possible manifestations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/physioextra.ca\/en\/condition\/long-covid\/\">Learn more about symptoms and treatment on our condition page.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>How many people are affected?<\/h2>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/health-infobase.canada.ca\/covid-19\/post-covid-condition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government of Canada (2023)<\/a>, about <strong>15% of adults who contracted COVID-19<\/strong> experience persistent symptoms. In <strong>half of these cases<\/strong>, the symptoms last a year or longer after the initial infection. These figures show that PCS is a significant public health issue.<\/p>\n<h2>Who can develop Long COVID?<\/h2>\n<p>Anyone who has had COVID-19 can develop PCS. The condition can occur even after a mild infection. However, certain factors increase the risk.<\/p>\n<h3>Observed risk factors<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Female sex<\/li>\n<li>Age between 40 and 60 years<\/li>\n<li>Presence of comorbidities such as obesity, asthma, or autoimmune disease<\/li>\n<li>Hospitalization for COVID-19<\/li>\n<li>Severe initial infection or numerous acute symptoms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The absence of risk factors does not rule out the possibility of developing Long COVID.<\/p>\n<h2>Common myths and realities<\/h2>\n<h3>Myth #1: COVID-19 is just like the flu<\/h3>\n<p>COVID-19 is a different infection. It can cause long-lasting effects and affect multiple organs. Comparing it directly to the flu is misleading.<\/p>\n<h3>Myth #2: Only very sick people are at risk<\/h3>\n<p>Long COVID also occurs in people whose initial infection was mild. The severity of the acute illness alone does not predict long-term outcomes.<\/p>\n<h3>Myth #3: Symptoms always go away over time<\/h3>\n<p>Some people recover within a few weeks, others after several months or longer. Proper follow-up can speed up functional recovery and reduce post-exertional relapses.<\/p>\n<h3>Myth #4: Nothing can be done<\/h3>\n<p>Even though there is no single treatment, rehabilitation offers concrete and effective strategies. The goal is to improve quality of life and regain autonomy.<\/p>\n<h2>Long COVID remains a reality in 2025<\/h2>\n<p>It can affect anyone and take many forms. With proper information and professional support, progress is possible through structured and individualized rehabilitation. If you are still experiencing symptoms several months after infection, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Long COVID? Terminology Different terms are used to describe this condition: Long COVID: the most common term used by the media and the general public Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS): the expression preferred by the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13217,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[646,456,537],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-long-covid","category-physical-health-and-sports","category-physical-health-issues"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Myths and Realities of Long COVID: What We Know in 2025 | PhysioExtra<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is COVID-19 just like the flu? 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