Abstract
Purpose: Substantial research has been completed to describe the prevalence and risk factors associated with COVID-19. However, less attention has been given to persisting symptoms beyond three months. These persisting symptoms defined as long COVID include fatigue, difficulty thinking or concentrating, memory problems, mobility issues, difficulty seeing, trouble hearing, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Further, less attention has been given to young adults who are more likely to experience mild forms of COVID-19 and potentially differential effects of long COVID. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of young adults experiencing long COVID symptoms and explore the long-term effects that these persisting symptoms may have on their lives. Methods: Long COVID symptoms were assessed through the Household Pulse Survey developed by the US Census Bureau during the pandemic. Participants were asked about their experiences with both COVID-19 and long COVID. Results: Fifty-two percent (52.4%) of individuals under the age of 45 that reported having COVID-19, and 32.1% of these individuals also reported experiences with long COVID. The most common long COVID symptoms among those < 45 included memory issues (17.8%), trouble seeing (5.6%), and mobility issues (4.8%). Conclusions: These findings suggest a critical need to further examine long COVID in young adults due to the high prevalence of long COVID and the potential impact these long-term symptoms may have.
Acknowledgements
None
Recommended Citation
Grantham R, Jacobs M, Ellis C. Long COVID Among Young Adults: Findings from the Household Pulse Survey. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2024 Jun 26;22(3), Article 17.
