If you have been ill for a long time after a virus (including coronavirus) tell us about your experience

We have launched a survey to understand people's recent experiences of long term affects on health and wellbeing after a virus.

We will focus on the long term affects of COVID-19, something often called 'Long Covid' or 'Post Covid syndrome'. But, many people may not know if they had COVID-19 and that it will have triggered their symptoms.

We know there is more to find out about how people are affected longer-term after having a virus so we want to hear anyone who may have experienced symptoms associated with 'Long Covid' whether they had a diagnosis of Covid or not. If it was a different virus we would also be interested to hear from you too.

Long lasting symptoms include fatigue, headaches, tiredness and muscle pain. Other symptoms include:

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• shortness of breath
• chest pain or tightness
• problems with memory and concentration ("brain fog")
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• heart palpitations
• dizziness
• pins and needles
• joint pain
• depression and anxiety
• tinnitus, earaches
• feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
• a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
• rashes

The REACT study led by Imperial College London estimates that around two million people may have had some long-lasting symptoms after having had COVID-19.

What will happen next?

We will be anonymously sharing what people have told us to help inform a Wandsworth and South West London strategy to support people.

To keep in touch with us and find out more about what we learn from people in this work, you could sign up to become a healthwatch member for free.