Long Covid Awareness Day 2026
- SMEFG
- 21 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Today, Sunday 15 March 2026 is International Long Covid Awareness Day. A day where we come together to raise awareness for the millions of people living with long Covid.
This year’s Long Covid Awareness Day message, “Every Heartbeat Counts,” highlights the ongoing impact of long Covid, the cardiovascular effects of Covid-19 infection, and the urgent need for recognition, research, and support for the millions living with its long-term effects.
Today we are sharing a series of graphics on our social media highlighting member’s personal experiences alongside key information about long Covid and the wide-ranging ways it can affect people’s health and daily lives. Long Covid describes a collection of long-term health problems that can develop after a Covid-19 infection, even when the initial illness was mild or caused no symptoms. It can affect people of any age or health status and can impact many different systems in the body, including the brain, heart and blood vessels, lungs, immune system, digestive system, skin, muscles and joints, reproductive health and mental health.
Research shows that the risk of long Covid increases with each Covid-19 infection, meaning the more times someone becomes infected, the greater their chance of developing long Covid or other lasting health effects. Studies have also found that even mild Covid-19 infections can increase the long-term risk of serious cardiovascular conditions, including stroke, heart attack and heart failure.
As there is currently no specific cure or treatment for long Covid, preventing Covid-19 infection is the only way to prevent long Covid. You can read more on our website about steps people can take to reduce the spread of Covid-19, such as improving ventilation, staying at home if unwell, testing before meeting others, wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks which fit your face well, and staying up to date with vaccinations where appropriate.
As we mark International Long Covid Awareness Day, we stand with everyone living with long Covid and the many people whose lives have been changed by it. Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group continues to support our members affected by long Covid, providing information, peer support and a community that understands the challenges of living with long-term illness.
Raising awareness is an important step in ensuring that people living with long Covid are heard, supported and not forgotten.
How does Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group help our members?
If you are experiencing the symptoms and effects of long Covid, you may find that you are having difficulty managing your daily life, and perhaps your ability to work. You may be entitled to help and support through the benefits system, from social care (provided by your local authority), or extra help at work.
We have a fantastic benefits team and you can find out more about the services the team provides on our website.
We have a Facebook Long Covid support group dedicated to people with long Covid that you are welcome to join.
“I now have friends from all around the world thanks to social media.” MaddyC
We host the Sheffield Long Covid Network which is an advocacy group.
The purpose of the Network is to coordinate a collaborative community that develops and shares information and resources to support people with long Covid and campaign for improvements. The membership is made up of organisations and individuals advocating for people with long Covid across Sheffield and the surrounding area.
We also welcome organisations that come into contact with long Covid patients and want to develop their knowledge in supporting this patient group. Meetings are held monthly online.
To join the network, email longcovidnetsheff@gmail.com or call the SMEFG office on 0114 253 6700 (Monday to Thursday 10.45am - 2.15pm)
You can also find a full list of wellbeing activities we offer online and in-person on our website.
If you are not a member of SMEFG, more details about this and how to become one can be found on our website.
Other useful resources:
Family and Friends Leaflet
It can be hard to talk about long Covid and the impact it has. We have created a leaflet for you to share with family and friends that explains what it is like to live with the illness. The insights in this leaflet were shared by people with long Covid.
Long Covid NICE guideline for patients
This summaries the NICE guideline for long Covid for people with the illness. It includes common symptoms and what to expect for diagnosis, planning care and management of symptoms.
Long Covid NICE Guideline for GPs
This summaries the NICE guideline on long Covid for GPs, along with a link to the full guideline.
Healthwatch Sheffield
Healthwatch Sheffield has developed a range of resources and information leaflets and videos about long Covid, in collaboration with community organisations in Sheffield.
Long Covid Support
Long Covid Support is a UK charity representing people with Long Covid, and their carers.
World Health Network
World Health Network is a network of people with diverse backgrounds with a common goal to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. They have a comprehensive set of resources about long Covid on their website.
Breathe Easy Sheffield
Breathe Easy Sheffield promotes Covid-safer social and cultural events in Sheffield. Providing meet-ups, events, and advice for organisers.
We finish our Long Covid Awareness Day post with some powerful statements from our members that will be shared on our social media today. Thank you to everyone who shared their story with us.
“I am an illustrator and was diagnosed with ME/CFS in 2025, around the time of my daughter’s 2nd birthday. Sometimes I grieve the active life I once had. And it’s been incredibly tough.” Dan Waters
“My life has changed from an outgoing bubbly personality to an almost recluse, my son and husband have to do most things I used to do now, I've lost many friends as I often have to cancel things at the last minute as every day can vary and because I look normal on the outside people presume I'm ok.” Kath
“The Covid pandemic is wrongly talked about in the past tense when it is still a mass disabling event. The ME community has helped me so much with managing and navigating all this - we keep us safe.” Jane
