


Sometimes a few changes in your chart documentation is all it takes to make it clear why you need care in a specialty clinic. If you do not have evidence of a positive PCR or antibody test, but your PCP suspects you have long COVID, then you can still get referred to a long COVID clinic.Ĭontact your PCP’s office if you’re having issues getting seen in a long COVID clinic. Often, this requires evidence that you have had COVID, for example through a positive PCR or antibody test. There are entry criteria for most post-COVID clinics. From there, you may get a referral to a rehabilitation program or to a specialist doctor. Usually, you’ll see a long COVID specialist to pinpoint the symptoms that need special attention, such as shortness of breath or cognitive difficulties.

Your PCP may also refer you to a post-COVID clinic, which are multispecialty centers set up to take care of long COVID issues. Depending on your symptoms, they may also refer you to one or more specialists, including a: Your PCP will interview and examine you, and they’ll figure out if you need testing, such as blood tests or imaging studies. Your first stop for your long COVID care - like with most medical concerns - should be with your primary care physician (PCP). That is why it’s best to touch base with your healthcare team about any new or old health issues that you might be experiencing. It can be hard to figure out if you’re suffering from post-COVID symptoms - or something else. In about 40% of people, symptoms start between 3 and 6 months later. In most cases, the lingering symptoms of long COVID follow on immediately from the initial infection. Long COVID can happen even in people who had asymptomatic or mild cases of COVID-19. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathingĭifficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes called “brain fog”)
