Description

For sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 0-17 who have ever had COVID-19 (CVDDIAG) and had symptoms lasting 3 months or longer (CVDLONG), CVDLONGNOW indicates if the respondent is currently experiencing Long COVID symptoms. The universe for this variable changed slightly between 2022 and 2023. Please refer to the comparability tab for details.

This variable is one of two Long COVID-related questions added by NCHS in 2022. See CVDLONG for the other post-COVID variable added in 2022.

NCHS defines post-COVID conditions, or Long COVID, as a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected by the virus that causes COVID-19.

Long term symptoms include tiredness or fatigue, difficulty thinking, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness or memory problems sometimes referred to as "brain fog," difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, joint or muscle pain, fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations), chest pain, dizziness on standing, depression, anxiety, or mood changes.

NCHS added nearly 30 questions related to COVID starting in quarter 3 of the 2020 NHIS questionnaire, eight of which are asked of both sample adults and sample children. For the full list of variables, as well as information about COVID-related changes to the NHIS, please see the user note.

Comparability

In 2022 when the question for CVDLONGNOW was introduced, it was asked of sample persons who had tested positive for or been diagnosed with COVID-19 (CVDDIAG) and reported having mild, moderate, or severe symptoms when at their worst (CVDSYMP). In 2023, the question about symptoms was dropped from the universe definition and the response to CVDLONG was used in its place.

Universe

Availability

• 2022-2023

Weights

• 2022-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT