The government will be investing £18.5million in researching 'long Covid' and the Isle of Wight will get its own research centre later this year.

Last month, government minister Nadine Dorries announced the Island would be one of 12 new sites dedicated to looking into the condition.

Its team will diagnose and support Islanders battling extended symptoms after catching Covid-19.

What is long Covid?

Long Covid (or 'post-Covid-19 syndrome') can cause symptoms that last weeks, or even months, after the infection has gone.

Many people feel better in a few days and most make a full recovery within 12 weeks, but for some, symptoms can last longer.

What are the symptoms?

Common long Covid symptoms include:

  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain or tightness
  • problems with memory and concentration ("brain fog")
  • difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • heart palpitations
  • dizziness
  • pins and needles
  • joint pain
  • depression and anxiety
  • tinnitus, earaches
  • feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
  • a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
  • rashes

According to the NHS, the chances of having long-term symptoms of coronavirus are not linked to how ill you are when you first get the virus.

Those who had mild symptoms at first can also still suffer from long-term problems.

When should I see a doctor?

If you're worried about symptoms four or more weeks after contracting Covid-19, speak to a doctor, the NHS advises.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and the impact they're having on your life, and may suggest some tests to find out more about your symptoms - and rule out anything else that could be causing them.

If you do have 'long Covid', there are things you may be able to do to help relieve your symptoms, according to Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, Phil Day.

"Do a little, but often and allow for rest."

Mr Day said eating well and choosing “foods that are high in protein and are energy rich to help support the maintenance of your immune system and increase energy levels,” can help.

Techniques to improve your sleep, including getting up at the same time every day, avoiding naps during the day and not going to bed feeling hungry or thirsty can also be beneficial, he says.

Quality sleep can help recovery by increasing energy levels, said Mr Day and regular activity can also help.

He said: “When becoming active again, it is key to start slowly and build your level of activity over time.

“Do a little, but often and allow for rest between activities. Aim for a 30 minute walk by starting with a 5 minute walk without stopping (or less if you feel breathless and tired). Then increase this in staggered intervals each time.”