Duchess Camilla is suffering from long-term COVID side effects—what are the symptoms and is there any relief?

Duchess Camilla is suffering from some long-term symptoms of COVID-19 and has opened up about her fatigue and coughing since first testing positive with coronavirus back in February.

• The Duchess of Cornwall tested positive for Covid-19 on Valentine's Day in February 2022.
• Although the Duchess and Prince Charles both tested positive, the pair both recovered and were back to royal duties after a short recovery period.
• In other royal news, Kate Middleton's green coat stuns at St. Patrick's Day parade.

Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall, recently opened up about her long-term COVID-19 symptoms and revealed that even though she managed to 'shake off' the virus, she is still struggling to get rid of some of the side effects from the illness.

During an International Women's Day Event, Duchess Camilla’s ‘tremor’ alarmed royal fans as the future Queen consort opened up about her long-term symptoms.

"It's taken three weeks and still can't get shot of it," said Camilla during the event. "Probably my voice might suddenly go and I might start coughing and spluttering."

Coughing and struggling to speak are some of the long-term symptoms associated with COVID-19, but what are the other long-term Covid side effects, and what should you do if the long-term effects persist?

Long-term effects of COVID-19

Deep Patel, Lloyds Pharmacy’s Vaccination Services Manager tells woman&home, that there are various long-term side effects that can appear in patients who have had Covid.

“Unlike a cold, the symptoms we see with COVID-19 tend to be much more severe and often include a dry and continuous cough, loss of taste, and shortness of breath. You’re also more likely to have a fever with Covid-19 than with a cold, but symptoms vary for people suffering from COVID-19," says Deep.

"After COVID-19, some people can still experience long-term effects even after their initial recovery. Whilst this differs from person to person, it is important to stay alert and monitor any lasting symptoms. Common long-term COVID-19 symptoms include..."

• Fatigue
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath 
• Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
• Joint pain 
• Dizziness 
• High temperature 
• Persistent cough
• Headaches 
• Loss of taste and/or smell
• Sore throat 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Depression and anxiety 
• Ear aches
• Loss of appetite 
• Rashes 

Deep adds that there are ways to help, "to ease symptoms, it is recommended to take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you’re feeling uncomfortable."

But the medical expert adds that after four weeks of persistent problems, you may want to contact a professional. "However, if any of these symptoms have lasted for four weeks or more, please contact your local GP or visit your local LloydsPharmacy for further advice.”

The NHS also suggests that having long-term side effects is not linked to the severity of the illness when you are first diagnosed with Covid.

"The chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get COVID-19," said the NHS. "People who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems."

So regardless of your initial reaction to the virus, you may still have long-term side effects and you still may need to contact your doctor if these issues continue for over a month.