Some people, including young and otherwise healthy individuals, can experience prolonged and worrisome symptoms or complications from COVID-19 that last for weeks or even months.
You may have heard the terms "long haulers," "post-acute COVID-19 syndrome" or "long COVID" to describe these people or their complications.
If you have long-term chronic problems from COVID-19, UC San Diego Health's post-acute COVID-19 telemedicine clinic can help you recover — safely and conveniently with help from the region's most experienced COVID-19 doctors.
Our clinic is open to adults ages 18 and older who have had:
- A positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. (This is the common nasal swab test — not a rapid test.)
- Symptoms or health complications lasting four or more weeks
Make an Appointment
If you are new to UC San Diego Health, you can make an appointment by calling
619-543-8263. Please be prepared to provide your COVID-19 PCR test results if your test was not performed at UC San Diego Health.
If you are an existing patient or received acute COVID-19 care with us, ask your UC San Diego Health provider for a referral to our clinic.
Whenever possible, appointments are conducted via a
video visit or telephone consult. In-person visits may be necessary for physical exams, physical therapy, diagnostic tests or procedures.
Symptoms of Long-Haul COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that impacts the lungs. But the coronavirus that causes the disease can affect many other organs, including the heart, brain and kidneys. The body's immune response to infection may also play a role in some chronic COVID-19 symptoms.
Long after your body has cleared itself of the viral infection, you may experience:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Elevated heart rate
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Joint pain
- Brain fog, memory loss or difficulty in concentrating
- Mood changes, such as depression
Services and Support for Post-COVID-19 Care
We offer:
- An initial video visit or telephone consult with an infectious disease specialist to review and discuss your health
- Follow-up video visits or telephone consults to track your progress
- Referrals to medical specialists who can comprehensively diagnose and treat your condition(s), including pulmonologists, cardiologists, neurologists, immunologists and mental health professionals
- Medications for symptom relief and treatment
- Counseling and support for anxiety and stress
- Access to patient support groups and a social worker
-
Chaplain services and spiritual support
Coronavirus Research and Clinical Trials
UC San Diego Health leads the region's efforts to prevent COVID-19 and end the pandemic. As we strive to continuously improve our understanding of and treatments for the disease, you may have an opportunity to participate in a research study or clinical trial to improve COVID-19 care.