How can I support patients with Long COVID in managing their symptoms in a primary care setting?

Support patients with Long COVID by adopting a personalised, symptom-focused management approach within primary care.

Advise patients to manage their daily activity carefully, avoiding exceeding their perceived energy limits to prevent post-exertional malaise and symptom flare-ups.

Encourage rest and convalescence as needed, which may require adjustments to daily routines including work, school, and social activities.

Support patients in maintaining a healthy, balanced diet with adequate fluid intake.

Help patients develop an energy management plan as part of their care and support plan, addressing cognitive, physical, emotional, and social activities, rest, sleep quality, and environmental factors.

Explain that energy management is a long-term, self-management strategy that is not curative but aims to reduce symptom exacerbation and improve quality of life.

Be alert to symptoms such as orthostatic intolerance, neuromuscular symptoms, sensory sensitivities, and pain, and consider referral to specialists if diagnosis or management is uncertain.

Provide reassurance that diagnosis of conditions like ME/CFS (which shares features with Long COVID) requires persistent symptoms over 3 months, and patients can return for review if symptoms worsen.

Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams or specialist services when needed, especially for complex cases or children and young people.