Published 11\/30\/23, Hannah Murphy, The Messenger<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Three years after the onset of COVID-19<\/a>, experts are now able to treat the most acute impacts of the respiratory virus, but less is understood about the lingering side effects it leaves behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brain fog, extreme fatigue, a lingering cough and respiratory issues are all hallmarks of long COVID<\/a>. Up to 40% of adults in the United States have reported experiencing the symptoms of long COVID after recovering from their initial COVID infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Described as symptoms \u201clasting three or more months after first contracting the virus,\u201d the effects of long COVID can feel debilitating. And since long COVID is still considered a fairly new medical diagnosis, experts have not yet established best practices when it comes to treating the condition itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers are working at developing treatments for long COVID<\/a>, but it will likely be years before an effective remedy comes to fruition. Until then, COVID long-haulers are left to cope with their symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understandably, dealing with constant fatigue, brain fog and a nagging cough can feel frustrating, but LaTasha Perkins, M.D.<\/a>, a family medicine physician based in Washington, D.C., tells The Messenger that there are some simple ways to optimize the recovery process.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGet lots of rest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n