Long COVID patients report more than 200 symptoms – with fatigue and brain fog most common

Published

4 years ago

July 14, 2021

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Patients with long COVID have reported more than 200 symptoms affecting 10 organ systems, according to a new study.

Researchers surveyed 3,762 people from 56 countries who joined the Body Politic online COVID-19 support group and reported coronavirus-like symptoms between December 2019 and May 2020.

In total they reported 203 different symptoms, with 66 identified for the whole seven-month period.

The most common were fatigue, post-exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion), and cognitive dysfunction – often referred to as brain fog.

Among the other symptoms identified were visual hallucinations, itchy skin, menstrual cycle changes, sexual dysfunction, bladder control issues, diarrhoea, heart palpitations and tinnitus.

The study, led by scientists from University College London (UCL) and published in the Lancet’s E Clinical Medicine, is the largest peer-reviewed research into long COVID symptoms so far.

Following the findings, UCL experts are calling for a national UK screening programme for long COVID and the widening of diagnostic tests beyond just cardiovascular and respiratory ones.

Although the new study did not measure the length of time patients were ill, a recent one has shown that one in seven people who test positive for coronavirus are still suffering symptoms 12 weeks later.

The UCL study was open to anyone over the age of 18 with suspected long COVID – including those who were unable to get a positive coronavirus test due to shortages early on in the pandemic.

Authors noted some limitations, including a bias towards people who were able to join online support groups, English speakers (91.9% of respondents) and white people (85.3% of respondents).

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The results showed that 91.8% of those surveyed were still suffering symptoms after seven months and 96% after three months.

For those who were still ill after three months, the number of symptoms peaked at 17 in the second month.

People who were symptomatic for more six months experienced an average of 14 symptoms after the seventh month.

On average, patients suffered 56 different symptoms across nine organ systems.

The vast majority (89.1%) suffered relapses in their illness, most often triggered by physical or mental activity or stress.

Some 45.2% had to reduce their working hours compared to before they were ill and 22.3% were unable to work at all.

Commenting on the study, its senior author Dr Athena Akrami, neuroscientist at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at UCL said: “While there has been a lot of public discussion around long COVID, there are few systematic studies investigating this population.

“In this unique approach, we have gone directly to ‘long haulers’ around the world in order to establish a foundation of evidence for medical investigation, improvement of care, and advocacy for the long COVID population.

“This is the most comprehensive characterisation of long COVID symptoms, so far.”

She added: “There is now a clear need to widen medical guidelines to assess a far wider range of symptoms when diagnosing long COVID.”

Dr Akrami said that with “thousands suffering in silence” the study would help build resources and facilities for patients.

UK

Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ as teen appears in court charged with murder

Published

9 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to 'beautiful soul' as teen appears in court charged with murder

The family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death have said she was a “beautiful soul” who was brave, kind-hearted and “always put a smile on people’s faces”.

Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, just before 6.10pm on Monday, where Aria Thorpe had suffered a single stab wound.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a tribute released by Avon and Somerset Police on Friday, the girl’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.

“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.”

Tom Thorpe, the girl’s father, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us.”

It comes as a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared in court.

Aria was a ‘precious girl’

In their statement, Aria’s family on her mother’s side said her death “has devastated us beyond words”.

“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible,” they added.

“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”

They said they were “truly touched by the lovely messages we have received”, before asking “that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl”.

‘Wacky ways and outright madness’

Mr Thorpe said: “How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.

He then said that Aria was “such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul”, and “always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness”.

Mr Thorpe added: “Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you.

“We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.

“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”

Teenager in court

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, where he was remanded.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested in the Somerset village of Worle at 6.19pm on Monday.

He is next due in court on 16 March 2026. Appearing via video link from youth detention accommodation, he spoke only to confirm his name.

Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for 15 June during the hearing.

UK

David Walliams dropped by publisher HarperCollins UK

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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David Walliams dropped by publisher HarperCollins UK

David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher HarperCollins UK.

A spokesperson for the company said that “after careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles” from Walliams.

“HarperCollins takes employee well-being extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns,” the spokesperson added.

“To respect the privacy of individuals, we do not comment on internal matters.”

The publisher announced in October that it had appointed Kate Elton as its new chief executive, following the departure of former boss Charlie Redmayne.

The 54-year-old, who shot to fame with the BBC sketch show Little Britain, is one of the country’s best-selling children’s authors.

He has written more than 40 books, which have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide and been translated into 55 languages, according to his website.

His first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, was published by HarperCollins in 2008.

Walliams is also known for Come Fly With Me, another BBC sketch show, and was formerly part of the judging panel for Britain’s Got Talent.

He was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts.

Walliams has been contacted for comment.

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UK

Teenager to face trial over murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe

Published

12 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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A teenager charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe will stand trial in June next year.

The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to confirm his name.

During a brief hearing, Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for 15 June 2026.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Avon and Somerset Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare just before 6.10pm on Monday, where nine-year-old Aria had suffered a single stab wound.

The boy was arrested in nearby Worle a short time later.

His father was among those attending in the public gallery.

The teenager is next expected to appear in court on 16 March.