Most common Long Covid symptoms in healthcare workers

Summary: Data shows that nearly 40% of healthcare workers have Long Covid, this study reports their symptoms and states their support needs.

Al-Oraibi, A. et. Al. (2025) summarised by Graciela Maitland

Introduction

This study examines the prevalence of Long Covid among healthcare workers worldwide. It highlights common symptoms, compares infected healthcare workers from various regions, and looks into differences based on location and other factors. The research team conducted searches on MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the grey literature from 31 December 2019 to 18 February 2022, reviewed 5,737 articles, and found 28 studies involving 6,481 professionals that met their criteria, although only 15 provided high-quality data. The findings indicate that nearly 40% of healthcare workers experience Long Covid symptoms, averaging about 22 weeks after their initial infection.

Summary  

The most commonly reported symptoms include:

• Fatigue (35%)
• Neurological issues, like headaches or difficulty concentrating (25%)
• Loss or decrease of smell and/or taste (25%)
• Muscle pain (22%)
• Shortness of breath (19%) 

Interestingly, it was also observed that healthcare workers who were monitored for less than 12 months after infection seemed to experience a higher prevalence of these symptoms compared to those who were followed for a year or more. Gaining a better understanding of these trends can really help figure out the best ways to treat and manage Long Covid in healthcare workers.

This study highlights the importance of using standardised methods when gathering data on Long Covid and of clearly defining the condition. Having clarity in these areas helps to make better use of research findings. Since many healthcare workers are experiencing Long Covid, it is important for policymakers to think about how this affects their workforce, and to focus on providing the necessary care for those impacted. The findings also show the need for tailored strategies to manage workloads better and ensure healthcare workers get enough rest. It is necessary to gain a complete global picture of how common Long Covid is, and its affects. Addressing current data gaps, especially the lack of diverse regional data from healthcare workers, is essential.

Conclusion  

Healthcare workers worldwide are facing significant challenges due to Long Covid. Many in the healthcare community are affected, highlighting the importance of decision-makers understanding its true impact and providing the necessary support. Therefore, this study emphasises the need for strategies to better manage workloads and to ensure healthcare workers have sufficient rest time. Additionally it is very important to fill data gaps, especially in regions with fewer studies, to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on healthcare workers worldwide. By exploring how regional differences influence Long Covid rates, targeted healthcare policies and support systems can be developed to truly meet the unique needs of healthcare workers in different areas.

Read the research here