Long COVID over time: Prevalence and recovery rate

A US study has examined the prevalence of Long COVID and how many of those affected recover over time. This involved analysing survey data from US adults. The data stem from the annual National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for the years 2022 to 2024 and are strongly representative of the population as a whole. The participants provided information as to whether they had ever had Long COVID and whether the symptoms were still ongoing. In total, more than 40,000 adults were included.

The findings show that the percentage of adults reporting prior SARS-COV-2 infection increased substantially in the period surveyed, from roughly 40% in 2022 to around 60% in 2024. Among those with prior infection, almost 20% reported symptoms of Long COVID in 2022, while this percentage declined to roughly 14% by 2024. The percentage of those who had recovered from Long COVID rose from around 51% to almost 60% over the same period.

Certain sub-groups within the survey participants were affected by Long COVID more frequently. These included women, persons aged between 35 and 64 as well as people with low household income. Recovery from Long COVID was less likely in adults aged over 35 than in younger adults.

The survey findings show that some of those affected recover from the illness over time and that the prevalence of Long COVID after an infection has decreased over the period surveyed. At the same time, the number of persons affected remains high overall, and a considerable percentage of those are still suffering from symptoms. Because the treatment options for Long COVID are currently limited, the findings highlight the importance of further research into disease mechanisms and potential treatment approaches.