Living with Post-COVID Symptoms

Are you a BC resident struggling with post-COVID symptoms and looking for help?

The Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network offers clinical care, education and research to support you in your recovery.

What is post COVID or long COVID?

"Post COVID" is an umbrella term for any symptoms that remain after you are initially sick with COVID-19.

Post-COVID conditions (commonly called “long COVID”) occur in people with a history of probable or confirmed COVID-19 infection who are experiencing symptoms for at least 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 that cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis or other causes.

Symptoms generally have an impact on everyday functioning.

What is long COVID? (Video)
Why is it called long COVID? (Video)

(Videos courtesy of Long COVID Physio)

Below, you will find three tabs.

Under the "Self-Care Info" tab, you will find fact sheets and videos about many common long-COVID symptoms to help you care for yourself. These materials have been prepared by health-care professionals.

The "Clinical Care" tab describes the services offered at the Post-COVID Recovery Clinics and outlines the referral process.

The "Additional Care Info" tab takes you to various tools, worksheets, and information to help you navigate your life post-COVID, including returning to work, financial management and managing your energy.

Self-care info

There is a lot of information on this page. We encourage you to go slow, review the information at your own pace and take lots of breaks from the screen.

A good place to start is with these videos:

I had COVID-19 and I'm not back to my usual self – Reviews symptoms that can linger after COVID-19, how this affects you and what supports are available.
What are common long-COVID symptoms? – Video from Long COVID Physio that describes the symptoms many people experience when they have long COVID.

Please find resource sheets and videos under each symptom, listed alphabetically.

Breathlessness

"Breathlessness" Information Sheets

What we know about breathlessness post-COVID-19 (video). Explains breathlessness after COVID-19 infection and how to manage it.
Breathing techniques to manage breathlessness after COVID-19 (video). Reviews how to assess and improve your breathing and provides breathing techniques help manage your symptoms.
Physical activity and exercises to manage breathlessness after COVID-19 (video). Outlines how physical activity can help you manage breathlessness, plus additional breathing exercises and resources.

Brain Fog & Cognitive Issues

"Brain Fog in Post-COVID-19 Recovery" Information Sheets:

Brain Fog after Covid-19 (video): This video explains what is known about brain fog after COVID-19 and outlines tools and strategies to manage and reduce symptoms.
Cognitive Dysfunction (video by Long COVID Physio)

Fatigue & Pacing

"Fatigue & Pacing" Information Sheets:

Fatigue after COVID-19 Infection (video). This video outlines the symptoms of Post COVID-19 fatigue, and gives tips on how to pace yourself, conserve energy, and minimize symptoms as you recover.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (website: BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre)
Fatigue (Video by Long COVID Physio) – brief definition of clinical fatigue
Pacing (website: ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Self-Help Program)
Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (website: ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Self-Help Program)
Mitochondria not Hypochondria (video – BC Women's Complex Chronic Diseases Program)
Pacing vs Graded Exercise Therapy (part 1)
Pacing vs Graded Exercise Therapy (part 2)

General Recovery

I had COVID-19 and I'm not back to my usual self (video). Reviews symptoms that can linger after COVID-19, how this affects you and what supports are available.
Understanding your post-COVID-19 symptoms (video). Learn about common symptoms and how to identify patterns that may be making your symptoms worse.
Episodic Nature of Long COVID (video by Long COVID Physio)
Activity Guide for Transitioning Home From Hospital After COVID-19 (PDF - Vancouver Coastal Health)

Post-COVID-19 Patient Information Pack (PDF - National Health Service – UK)
Your COVID Recovery (National Health Service – UK)
Support for Rehabilitation Self-Management after COVID-19 related illness (PDF - World Health Organization)
Concussions: A guide to understanding symptoms and recovery (G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre) Many COVID-19 long-term symptoms are similar to those of post-concussion syndrome
My Concussion Guide (Vancouver Coastal Health)

Hair Loss

Information Sheet

English

Headaches

"Headaches" Information sheets:

What we know about headaches post-COVID-19 (video). Explains headaches that can linger after COVID-19 infection, how they affect you and how to manage them.
How to prevent headaches post-COVID-19 (video). Reviews tips for preventing headaches and tools to manage them.
Tips & tools to deal with headaches post-COVID-19 (video). Offers additional tips for preventing headaches and more tools to manage them.

Heart Health

COVID-19 and the Heart (video). Explains chest pain, palpitations, dizziness and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) after COVID-19 infection - outlining what may cause these symptoms, and when to seek medical help.
Cardiac Services BC's COVID-19 and Cardiac Care page.

Mental Health

Information Sheets:

Stress, worry and anxiety post COVID-19 (video). Describes the impacts of COVID-19 infection on your mental health and strategies to help you cope with symptoms.
Low mood and depressive thinking post COVID-19 (video). Explains how to recognize the signs of low mood and depressive thinking and how to tackle them.
Stigma, prejudice, discrimination and social isolation after COVID-19 (video). Outlines how stigma, prejudice, discrimination and social isolation can impact health and mental health outcomes, especially for those recovering from COVID-19 infection.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Skills Group Information (website): Information about an eight-week Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) group for patients who want to learn practical tools to improve their mental health. Ask your doctor if this course is right for you.
Anxiety Canada - COVID19 (website)
Bounce Back BC (website)
Calm - Videos for meditation & relaxation (website)
Foundry (for youth aged 12 - 24) (website)
Here to Help - COVID19 (website)

Post-Exertional Malaise

"Post-Exertional Malaise in Post-COVID-19 Recovery" Information Sheets:

What we know about post-exertional malaise after COVID-19 (video). Explains symptoms of post-exertional malaise (PEM) after COVID-19 infection and how to manage them.
Post-Exertional Symptom Exacerbation (video - Long COVID Physio) – brief description of post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE)

Ringing in the Ears

Information Sheets:

Taste and Smell Changes

Information Sheet

English

Loss of Smell Resources (website: AbScent Network)

Using Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network resources & guidelines

Purpose of resources

Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network resources and guidelines are designed to support equitable, best practice care for people living with long COVID. The materials can be divided into two main categories:

Resources to support people living with long COVID in their recovery.
Resources and guidelines to support health care providers caring for people living with long COVID.

Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network clinical staff developed and reviewed the guidelines and resources based on the best information available at the time of publication. Refer to www.phsa.ca/postCOVID for the most recent versions.

Restrictions on guideline use

Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network guidelines and resources can be downloaded for personal, clinical, non-commercial use only. No reproduction by or for commercial organizations, or for commercial purposes, is allowed without the permission of the Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network. To request permission, e-mail post-COVID-ICCN@phsa.ca.

When referencing one of the Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network’s guidelines or resources, use the following format: Name of guideline/resource, year. Available from: www.phsa.ca/postCOVID.

Clinical care

Post-COVID-19 clinics are available to all patients across B.C. who meet clinical referral criteria, and virtual health options are available in some cases. Please find information on clinic locations, contact information, and referral process below.

Recovery Clinics

Post-COVID-19 clinics are available to all patients across B.C. who meet clinical eligibility criteria, and virtual health options are available in some cases.

These clinics are interdisciplinary, integrated with primary care providers, and based on a model of supportive care co-designed by clinicians and survivors of COVID-19.

These clinics are led by registered nurses and allied health professionals. They do not support investigations of your symptoms. A primary care provider (physician or nurse practitioner) must do this before referring you to the Network.

Your first clinic appointment will include a consultation with a general internal medicine physician. Follow up appointments will be with post-COVID case managers (registered nurses) and the allied health team.

Video: What is the Post-COVID Recovery Clinic and what can I expect? – An overview of the clinics and ways the network can support you, even if you don't come into a clinic.

Referrals

Your primary care provider (e.g. family doctor or nurse practitioner) can refer you to the Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Care Network (the Network) by completing the referral form. To be referred, you must be experiencing symptoms that limit your daily activities and that have been affecting you for at least three (3) months following your presumed or confirmed COVID-19 illness.

Before referring you, a primary care provider must have investigated your symptoms to rule out any other potential causes. The Post COVID Recovery Clinics do not provide investigations and diagnostics.

Once your referral is received, a triage nurse will contact you and review your case to determine the appropriate level of resources and services required to support your recovery. Note: Not all patients will need a clinic visit.

Clinic Locations

Vancouver General Hospital | Vancouver, BC (Vancouver Coastal Health)
Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre | Surrey, BC (Fraser Health)
Abbotsford Regional Hospital | Abbotsford, BC (Fraser Health)
Royal Jubilee Hospital | Victoria, BC (Island Health)

Virtual health visits are also available.

Learn how we're taking care of your Personal Health Information with our Notice of Collection.

Additional care info

Please find various tools, worksheets, and information to help you navigate your life post-COVID and support your recovery.

Tools & worksheets

These resources are designed to help you identify triggers or stressors that may be making your symptoms worse. They can help you learn how to effectively pace yourself during your recovery from COVID-19.

Introduction to Living in your Energy Envelope - Tool instructions
Tool #1 - Symptom Tracker
Tool #2 - Energy Point Chart
Tool #3 - Activity Tracker
My Action Plan
COVID-19 Heart Rate Monitoring during exercise
Symptom Journal - a tool developed to empower patients struggling with COVID-19 related symptoms to help identify patterns to their symptom fluctuations over time

Returning to work

Returning to Work (Video) Discusses returning to work after an illness. This module reviews how to assess if you are ready, steps to take, and explores tips for a successful and sustained return to work plan.
Disability Alliance BC (Website) 1 to 1 assistance for disability benefits information

Finances

Dealing with Health-Related Financial Challenges – Part 1: Financial issues are common when dealing with a serious health setback or unanticipated event and are a source of great stress for many people.
This module discusses dealing with financial emergencies, how to prepare, and where to get the help you need.
Dealing with Health-Related Financial Challenges - Part 2 – Income Support Programs: This module focuses on income support and benefits available after employment disruption. This will discuss things to consider as you seek benefits, how to navigate financial tasks and prepare the paperwork and provide helpful resources to support you as you navigate your financial issues.

Advance care & financial planning

Advance Care and Financial Planning: Making important medical decisions, navigating financial and legal issues are common tasks when dealing with a serious health issue or unanticipated event and are a source of great stress for many people. This module discusses advance care and financial planning and reviews tools and steps to consider when dealing with this very important topic.

Sleep hygiene

Sleep Hygiene instructions (information sheet)
Sleep hygiene (video – BC Women's Hospital)
Sleep Series (Northern Pain Center)
Tips for Insomnia (Kelty's Key)
Sleep Advice (Sleepwell)

Nutrition

Information sheets

English‎

Patient and family support

Letter to family, caregivers, or friends This letter is for persons who are supporting someone living with post-COVID.

Using Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network resources & guidelines

Purpose of resources

Resources to support people living with long COVID in their recovery.
Resources and guidelines to support health care providers caring for people living with long COVID.

Restrictions on guideline use

Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network guidelines and resources can be downloaded for personal, clinical, non-commercial use only. No reproduction by or for commercial organizations, or for commercial purposes, is allowed without the permission of the Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network. To request permission, e-mail post-COVID-ICCN@phsa.ca.

When referencing one of Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network’s guidelines or resources, use the following format: Name of guideline/resource, year. Available from: www.phsa.ca/postCOVID.

Tab Heading