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Long covid hits 14 per cent of adults – survey

Prof Nicholas Biddle. Photo: Lannon Harley, ANU.

NEARLY one-third of Australian adults who’ve had COVID-19 had symptoms last more than four weeks, according to a new ANU study. 

This equates to more than 14 per cent of the entire adult population in Australia.

In addition, nearly five per cent of Australian adults have experienced COVID-19 symptoms lasting three months or more.

The study also found almost half of all Australian adults have had COVID-19.

Lead author, Prof Nicholas Biddle says females, young Australians and people living in middle-income households have the highest probability of contracting COVID-19.

“89.5 per cent of adults surveyed who’ve had COVID-19 reported having symptoms,” prof Biddle said.

“Those who experienced symptoms of some kind were hit with around 10 different symptoms on average – with the most common being tiredness.

“Around a quarter of Australians with symptoms experienced 13 or more, while another quarter experienced seven or less. A runny nose or sneezing, sore throat, cough and headache were also common – experienced by around three-quarters of those with symptoms.”

The study is also one of the first in Australia to look at the impact of long covid on people’s wellbeing.

 

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