Helping Family Understand Long COVID

by Katie Brennan

Nov 14, 2025

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Symptoms feel different for everyone, making them hard to describe. Here’s how to explain Long COVID to family and friends. (written 09/21/2025)

One of the many challenges about living with Long COVID or another infection-induced chronic condition is explaining what it really feels like to friends and family.

Symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or pain are often misunderstood. Fatigue isn’t just being tired - it’s a complete lack of energy. Brain fog isn’t about being forgetful - it’s your brain not being reliable and working how it should. Pain isn’t a sore muscle - it’s the kind that makes you feel decades older. These symptoms run deep and affect every part of daily life.

In our latest blog - Talking With Friends and Family About What Long COVID Really Feels Like - I share my personal experience and explore how you can talk with the people closest to you about what these symptoms feel like, why they’re so hard to understand, and simple ways family and friends can better support you.

👉 Read the full blog here: Talking With Friends and Family About What Long COVID Really Feels Like

We hope some of these points may sound familiar and resonate with you—and give those around you a clearer picture of what life with Long COVID can be like.

Warmly,
Katie

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