Online support tool launched for long Covid
Southampton researchers have spearheaded a new website to support people living with long Covid.
It is being launched today to mark International Long Covid Awareness Day.
The research team was led by the University of Southampton’s Professor Nisreen Alwan, who has first-hand experience of the condition.
The online tool offers a symptom checker, advice on seeking support and encouragement to talk about symptoms. It is available to use at long-covid-care.org.uk.
Global public health problem
Most people with COVID-19 feel better within a few days or weeks of their first symptoms. For some, symptoms can last longer. This is called long Covid.
Around two million people are estimated to be living with the condition in the UK.
The most common symptoms include extreme tiredness, feeling short of breath and loss of smell.
Research into long Covid
Long Covid is a new condition which is still being studied.
Researchers include Prof Alwan, who is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Southampton (UoS) and an Honorary Consultant in Public Health at University Hospital Southampton (UHS).
Prof Alwan led the development of the new tool using research she and colleagues have conducted into the barriers and stigma experienced by people living with long Covid.
The work is part of STIMULATE-ICP. This is the largest UK clinical study of long Covid to date, led by University College London Hospitals NHS Trust and University College London.
The tool also builds on findings from the HI-COVE study. Led by the University of Westminster, it provides insight into the impact of long Covid in minority ethnic groups.
Both studies were funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Providing support
Researchers hope to reach people who may have long Covid but are not currently accessing care.
The tool encourages people with symptoms to seek support from the NHS or other services. It covers topics of self-doubt, stigma and effects on mental health.
Prof Alwan, who herself suffered debilitating long Covid during 2020, said:
“We hope the tool can help prevent people from feeling alone. Long Covid can be debilitating and very hard to talk about, as there is stigma attached.
“My top tip is to seek care. If you think you have long Covid, there is support available. But it’s also important to establish if it is long Covid, or something else that warrants medical investigation.”
The tool will also make health and social care professionals more aware of the difficulties people face around seeking support.
Dr Donna Clutterbuck, Population Health Sciences Research Fellow at UoS, is the first author on the research paper informing the tool. She said:
“I hope this tool will support people to seek professional help, as well as make healthcare professionals more aware of the complex issues around seeking help for Long Covid.
“Anyone suffering from other post-viral illnesses could find this tool useful as well. I am really keen for the tool to be disseminated in communities to help achieve more equality in access to care and support.”