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The Long Covid Handbook
Reports suggest that over 100m people around the world are living with Long Covid (more than 1.5m in the UK) yet reliable, clear information and guidance remains scarce. This book is the definitive guide to understanding, managing and treating the condition.
Written by the world's leading immunologist Professor Danny Altmann and expert patient Gez Medinger, The Long Covid Handbook translates cutting-edge science, patient-led research and practical guidance with clarity. This book will equip you with expert information and advice on:
- Long Covid's 200 symptoms, which include fatigue, brain fog, breathlessness and more.
- Tips for recovery.
- Which treatments are most effective and why.
- Who is most susceptible to the condition and why.
- What we can learn about Long Covid from other chronic illnesses.
- The impact on mental health.
This is the essential guide for anyone living with the condition, as well as clinicians seeking to better understand this little-understood illness.
Listening Length: 7 hours and 53 minutes.
Written by the world's leading immunologist Professor Danny Altmann and expert patient Gez Medinger, The Long Covid Handbook translates cutting-edge science, patient-led research and practical guidance with clarity. This book will equip you with expert information and advice on:
- Long Covid's 200 symptoms, which include fatigue, brain fog, breathlessness and more.
- Tips for recovery.
- Which treatments are most effective and why.
- Who is most susceptible to the condition and why.
- What we can learn about Long Covid from other chronic illnesses.
- The impact on mental health.
This is the essential guide for anyone living with the condition, as well as clinicians seeking to better understand this little-understood illness.
Listening Length: 7 hours and 53 minutes.
Audiobook
Published October 20, 2022
90 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Gez Medinger
1 book5 followersGez Medinger is an investigative science journalist and patient advocate for Long Covid. He was a film-maker and marathon runner when he became ill with Covid in the early days of the pandemic. When he didn’t recover, Gez put his efforts into researching the novel condition of Long Covid, interviewing some of the world’s leading clinicians and turning his YouTube channel into a huge resource for patients, conducting over a dozen patient led studies – which have been quoted in global press including New York Times, New Scientist and Men’s Health. In the process he has built a worldwide community and his films currently have over 5 million views.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 26, 2022
As someone who has endured 30 months (so far) of Long Covid this book is nothing short of a godsend. Whilst obviously it doesn’t have answers to cure LC it does provide evidence that makes sufferers feel less alone. That is an enormous thing when you have a mostly invisible health condition which literally has taken me from being in work and fairly active for a mid 40s male, to being more or less housebound. To know that there are others the same as me and to know there are doctors who are looking to help us is an uplifting thing. If you have LC or you have a family member or friend who has LC, I really would recommend this book.
November 8, 2022
If you have recently discovered you are suffering with LC this is the only book you need read (or listen to on audible if you - like me - now struggle to read!)
Easily digestible, Gez and Danny discuss Covid and all it’s warts in layman’s terms. This book provides you with everything that the world knows about LC so far - what we hope to know about LC in the future - and what you can do to improve your LC journey right now.
What I liked about this audio book is it didn’t make me feel emotional or upset listening to it. It is light hearted and factual and vastly strengthened my understanding of post viral illnesses. Massively recommend.
Easily digestible, Gez and Danny discuss Covid and all it’s warts in layman’s terms. This book provides you with everything that the world knows about LC so far - what we hope to know about LC in the future - and what you can do to improve your LC journey right now.
What I liked about this audio book is it didn’t make me feel emotional or upset listening to it. It is light hearted and factual and vastly strengthened my understanding of post viral illnesses. Massively recommend.
January 10, 2023
Absolutely loved this book despite the fact it absolutely scared the shit out of me.
By far what stood out to me was the detailed but not over complicated explanations of the biological mechanisms of viruses such as EBV and SARS-Cov in the first half of the book. The idea that long covid is an autoimmune condition is one theory that just makes so much sense to me. What I found particularly shocking was reading about the proven neurological PHYSICAL damage covid does to the automatic nervous system and the vagus nerve that explains so much of the long term damage viruses can do. It made me think no wonder so many doctors jump to the conclusion that long covid is “psychological”. Even though there is genuine physiological damage, a lot of the symptoms mimic that of acute stress disorders due to the body being in constant fight-flight mode thanks to damage to the sympathetic nervous system. That being said the link between stress and the development of autoimmune conditions is undeniable! What I also loved was how the author made it so easy for anyone to understand the biochemistry of post-viral illnesses. You don’t need a pHd in Immunology to get a grasp of what’s going on.
Took one star off because of one of the last sections of the book which included a monologue from a woman who has definitely lived well over half her life (not just starting out in the “prime of her 20s”) saying she is “grateful for long covid because it made her slow down and enjoy life”. This made me so fcking angry and then I balled my eyes out :) Maybe I am just being bitter…
Anyways overall good book 4/5 stars👍
By far what stood out to me was the detailed but not over complicated explanations of the biological mechanisms of viruses such as EBV and SARS-Cov in the first half of the book. The idea that long covid is an autoimmune condition is one theory that just makes so much sense to me. What I found particularly shocking was reading about the proven neurological PHYSICAL damage covid does to the automatic nervous system and the vagus nerve that explains so much of the long term damage viruses can do. It made me think no wonder so many doctors jump to the conclusion that long covid is “psychological”. Even though there is genuine physiological damage, a lot of the symptoms mimic that of acute stress disorders due to the body being in constant fight-flight mode thanks to damage to the sympathetic nervous system. That being said the link between stress and the development of autoimmune conditions is undeniable! What I also loved was how the author made it so easy for anyone to understand the biochemistry of post-viral illnesses. You don’t need a pHd in Immunology to get a grasp of what’s going on.
Took one star off because of one of the last sections of the book which included a monologue from a woman who has definitely lived well over half her life (not just starting out in the “prime of her 20s”) saying she is “grateful for long covid because it made her slow down and enjoy life”. This made me so fcking angry and then I balled my eyes out :) Maybe I am just being bitter…
Anyways overall good book 4/5 stars👍
October 20, 2022
I have got a lot of useful information as well as some enjoyment from Gez's video series on Long COVID so when I saw he was co-writing a book on Long COVID I was keen to support it.
I was a bit disappointed with the book because its not really the book I wanted or I think is most needed. I was wanting a book that was kind of a self help guide to managing the condition and instead this book is a very broad overview of the topic. So managing symptoms is one fairly short chapter rather than being the whole focus of the book.
On the whole this might be the best book on Long COVID that is available at the moment but it still gives room for better books to come along.
It is pretty easy reading for what is quite heavy subject matter and it contains lots of useful information and ideas.
As elements of the topic I know a lot about ( who knows I might write my own book some day) it is easy to nit-pick but that is being rather unfair. On aspects I know almost nothing about (causes of Long COVID) this is pitched at just the right level for me and that chapter was very well done.
I think Gez is wrong to focus on MCAS issues where I think a broader approach ( food and chemical intolerances can become more significant post covid and may even develop post covid) - this broader possibility is at least touched on. This critisism could be levelled at the whole LC community though - MCAS is a much easier and less vague concept to grab hold of with potential treatment potential on the horizon rather than just find stuff that is a problem for you and avoid it....
It is good that key areas such as children and Long COVID get its own chapter but in a book of just 250ish pages excluding endnotes all the inclusions mean less areas can be zoomed in on so much. For instance whilst the coverage of rest gets much more treatment than it usually does, even in books entirely about pacing , there is still much more that could be said and explored. There are topics such as employment and benefits that could have merited chapters but again for a book of its size it can only do or cover so much - and those are topics that havent been featured too heavily in his YouTube channel.
For people wanting an overview of Long COVID whether to help themselves or just to know more about this book is a great place to start....and when people do want to know more they can I suppose find other sources to learn more.
I was able to read the book in a day.
I was a bit disappointed with the book because its not really the book I wanted or I think is most needed. I was wanting a book that was kind of a self help guide to managing the condition and instead this book is a very broad overview of the topic. So managing symptoms is one fairly short chapter rather than being the whole focus of the book.
On the whole this might be the best book on Long COVID that is available at the moment but it still gives room for better books to come along.
It is pretty easy reading for what is quite heavy subject matter and it contains lots of useful information and ideas.
As elements of the topic I know a lot about ( who knows I might write my own book some day) it is easy to nit-pick but that is being rather unfair. On aspects I know almost nothing about (causes of Long COVID) this is pitched at just the right level for me and that chapter was very well done.
I think Gez is wrong to focus on MCAS issues where I think a broader approach ( food and chemical intolerances can become more significant post covid and may even develop post covid) - this broader possibility is at least touched on. This critisism could be levelled at the whole LC community though - MCAS is a much easier and less vague concept to grab hold of with potential treatment potential on the horizon rather than just find stuff that is a problem for you and avoid it....
It is good that key areas such as children and Long COVID get its own chapter but in a book of just 250ish pages excluding endnotes all the inclusions mean less areas can be zoomed in on so much. For instance whilst the coverage of rest gets much more treatment than it usually does, even in books entirely about pacing , there is still much more that could be said and explored. There are topics such as employment and benefits that could have merited chapters but again for a book of its size it can only do or cover so much - and those are topics that havent been featured too heavily in his YouTube channel.
For people wanting an overview of Long COVID whether to help themselves or just to know more about this book is a great place to start....and when people do want to know more they can I suppose find other sources to learn more.
I was able to read the book in a day.
December 4, 2022
I bought this book on the day it was published and started reading it as soon as I could. It’s another book I’ve been waiting for, but didn’t realise how much I needed until I read it.
This book brings together our best understanding of long covid from the perspective of both the lived experiences of patients and the scientific understanding of those undertaking cutting-edge immunology research. It is written in a conversational style, separated into simple sections with clear signposting of the voices of different people. I wish I didn’t need this book, but I think we all do need it.
No doubt I will be referring back to this book on a regular basis. Thoroughly recommended.
This book brings together our best understanding of long covid from the perspective of both the lived experiences of patients and the scientific understanding of those undertaking cutting-edge immunology research. It is written in a conversational style, separated into simple sections with clear signposting of the voices of different people. I wish I didn’t need this book, but I think we all do need it.
No doubt I will be referring back to this book on a regular basis. Thoroughly recommended.
January 17, 2023
A year in to my long covid situation and found the book comforting and feel optimistic at the end of it. I liked how the book was written and related so much to experiences of going to Drs who haven’t a clue to the freak out of going from fully functional adult to bed bound and struggling to hold a conversation with my husband.
Tips on how to manage symptoms and the rollercoaster generally are always helpful to reinforce. I’m not a medical person but the immunology dives were interesting. Thank you Gez and Danny for your work!
Tips on how to manage symptoms and the rollercoaster generally are always helpful to reinforce. I’m not a medical person but the immunology dives were interesting. Thank you Gez and Danny for your work!
February 17, 2024
Excellent, practical, well-rounded guidebook for those struggling through an illness that medicine can't yet define, let alone treat. Helpful chapters on the heterogeneity of LC experience, managing symptoms, and speaking with doctors. The best part: a comprehensive write-up on potential treatments and research opportunities for LC treatment (both pharmaceutical and alternative therapies). I will keep this dog-earred by my bedside on this journey.
June 4, 2023
I'm so glad this book exists! This is a comprehensive review of everything we know so far about Long Covid. Written collaboratively by someone with the condition and an Imperial College LC researcher, it combines practical advice for managing the condition with a detailed breakdown of the various pathological theories. Despite feeling like I've read the whole internet on the subject, there was loads of science that I hadn't heard before and it was so good to have all the various aspects as one coherent whole. It was also immensely validating to read about the science behind many of my niche indescribable symptoms that I haven't heard spoken about anywhere else.
I'd highly recommend to anyone with LC, and also to our families, friends and healthcare professionals and anyone interested in autoimmunity, viral persistence, ME and post viral fatigue syndrome.
My advice to fellow LC patients with brain fog is to just read chapter 9: 'Tips for managing symptoms' (at least to begin with), as this part is the most immediately useful.
I'd highly recommend to anyone with LC, and also to our families, friends and healthcare professionals and anyone interested in autoimmunity, viral persistence, ME and post viral fatigue syndrome.
My advice to fellow LC patients with brain fog is to just read chapter 9: 'Tips for managing symptoms' (at least to begin with), as this part is the most immediately useful.
April 6, 2023
Wasn't sure what to expect from this as a long hauler of 18 months (so far...) with a dozen or so unpredictable, debilitating and frustrating symptoms stemming from Delta infection August 2021. However, a top notch resource and major props to Gez & Professor Danny who both contribute complimentary - and sometimes contrasting - lived experience, insights and data so far....
July 18, 2025
As a long hauler for three years and counting now, I really appreciate this book because it validates so much of my own lived experience. Being disbelieved by family members - check. Finding no help from my GP - check. Having to cut out large chunks of activity, hobbies, socialization, and volunteering that I used to take in stride so that I can rest and pace instead - check. Having to rely on my spouse and kids far more than I'd like to - check.
Thanks to my Naturopathic Doctor I am far better than I was (anti-inflammatory supplements, which have also helped my sleep quality which also helps the brain). Reduced sugar intake and a covid booster shot also helped me noticeably. Still, my life is dramatically altered and I don't foresee getting back to my former level of capability. I have to find a new future for myself.
The quotes from other long haulers were particularly helpful to me. I don't think I'm grateful for long covid (like one patient said), but I have learned from the experience of it and I'm more understanding of others' personal limitations now than I would have been before.
Gez and Danny provide a lot of easy to read insight and advice and my overtired brain is thankful for that.
I would like to know if people with long covid are thought to have had 'weak' immune systems in the first place (so, couldn't clear this virus effectively), or if we are considered to be experiencing an overactive immune response (just won't/can't stop fighting, even if we might not need to anymore - although viral persistence could explain it if that turns out to be the correct theory). I think it is more likely the latter because so many of us had such mild acute covid symptoms and then ended up with all sorts of other symptoms afterwards that have lasted for months/years.
I do hope a breakthrough in science is on the way!
Thanks to my Naturopathic Doctor I am far better than I was (anti-inflammatory supplements, which have also helped my sleep quality which also helps the brain). Reduced sugar intake and a covid booster shot also helped me noticeably. Still, my life is dramatically altered and I don't foresee getting back to my former level of capability. I have to find a new future for myself.
The quotes from other long haulers were particularly helpful to me. I don't think I'm grateful for long covid (like one patient said), but I have learned from the experience of it and I'm more understanding of others' personal limitations now than I would have been before.
Gez and Danny provide a lot of easy to read insight and advice and my overtired brain is thankful for that.
I would like to know if people with long covid are thought to have had 'weak' immune systems in the first place (so, couldn't clear this virus effectively), or if we are considered to be experiencing an overactive immune response (just won't/can't stop fighting, even if we might not need to anymore - although viral persistence could explain it if that turns out to be the correct theory). I think it is more likely the latter because so many of us had such mild acute covid symptoms and then ended up with all sorts of other symptoms afterwards that have lasted for months/years.
I do hope a breakthrough in science is on the way!
March 19, 2025
This book is a great place to land if you are new to the world if Long-COVID. As of writing this (2025), I am aware that some of the info is a bit outdated, but Gaz does a great job of helping the reader gain a solid foundation for understanding a complex illness. I think the emphasis lies upon the immense struggle that we are all dealing with and the fact that it has a lot of unknowns (and unknown, unknowns). This, I found quite validating.
November 16, 2022
The most up-to-date summary and analysis about what we know about long COVID so far.
November 18, 2022
A lot of useful info, but also very wordy. The biggest help for me were the quotes from other sufferers that I could apply to my condition verbatim. It's nice to know I'm not alone.
March 15, 2025
Best book on long covid I’ve found so far.
May 24, 2025
Exceptionally accessible to read even though covers quite complex topics. You can read cover-to-cover or take the chapters that jump at you. The science is discussed in a balanced way with the expert patient perspective, which as both a doctor and a patient, I appreciated. I appreciate the caution with which management that may work for some but has little evidence at this point is communicated really well, so as long as people read about it in its entirety, I think they can approach these things safely. I think the symptom management, how to help others help you and the emotional and mental health chapters were most useful immediately. I really appreciate the chapter on gender bias, as well as how scientifically it was presented. As a woman with long COVID, I felt heard and acknowledged and as a doctor, I appreciated the education, especially as statistically, the majority of people with long COVID are women. My criticism I think is just that the research has moved on quite a lot since this was published. which is great for those of us still living with the tyrant that is long COVID, so somethings are out of date. Any scientist will know this is a failing of all medical texts and normal so not a criticism of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2024
It’s clear that a tremendous amount of research that has gone into this book and being a LC sufferer Im very grateful for any efforts to increase understanding of this condition.
However the reason why I’ve given it 4 stars and not higher is that if you are in the throes of this condition it is not the easiest thing to pay attention to long very technical bits of information and it took me months to finish this on audiobook and I had to replay several sections several times.
Definitely something that a GP and other health providers who work with LC sufferers should read but for the non-scientist struggling with brain fog it would have benefitted from splitting out the more tech content to later chapters and some short summaries of key ideas.
However the reason why I’ve given it 4 stars and not higher is that if you are in the throes of this condition it is not the easiest thing to pay attention to long very technical bits of information and it took me months to finish this on audiobook and I had to replay several sections several times.
Definitely something that a GP and other health providers who work with LC sufferers should read but for the non-scientist struggling with brain fog it would have benefitted from splitting out the more tech content to later chapters and some short summaries of key ideas.
May 15, 2023
As a long covid suffer I am so grateful to have come across this book. It a well written wealth of information that is accessible to the average person as well as those in the medical profession. A must read for anyone who has long covid or knows someone who has or for those sceptics who poo poo it as being all in your head. Long covid is not psychological, it is a medical condition that devastates and disrupts people's lives. This book confirms that sufferers are not alone and that there are in fact many people in their corner fighting for and alongside them. Thank you Gez Medinger and Professor Danny Altmann for keeping it real.
March 16, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ brilliant book - only dropped a star due to the overly medical bits.
It basically made me realise that I’m not alone and that becoming completely debilitated and unable to get out of bed every 3 months is actually not that unusual for those of us with long covid.
Having read some of the studies and stories I feel very lucky to have such understanding family, friends, colleagues & employers.
The book obviously doesn’t offer cures or miracle suggestions but it does offer comfort and reassurance that there is a world out there that knows how you feel and is looking for answers.
It basically made me realise that I’m not alone and that becoming completely debilitated and unable to get out of bed every 3 months is actually not that unusual for those of us with long covid.
Having read some of the studies and stories I feel very lucky to have such understanding family, friends, colleagues & employers.
The book obviously doesn’t offer cures or miracle suggestions but it does offer comfort and reassurance that there is a world out there that knows how you feel and is looking for answers.
March 8, 2024
A must read for anyone with long covid. It's everything I needed to hear. Informative, encouraging, comforting, validating, though scary at times. Even though it was published in 2022, it is still very relevant.
I've been bed bound due to PoTS for a few months now so I decided to take my recovery into my own hands due to lack of help from healthcare professionals. The chapter on how to improve communication with your GP is extremely valuable, and I look forward to applying the advice next time I attempt to fight for my right for a quality of life that is more than just existing.
I've been bed bound due to PoTS for a few months now so I decided to take my recovery into my own hands due to lack of help from healthcare professionals. The chapter on how to improve communication with your GP is extremely valuable, and I look forward to applying the advice next time I attempt to fight for my right for a quality of life that is more than just existing.
March 8, 2024
Fantastic resource and very helpful.
My wife has been battling long covid for the last year and a half and we didn’t know that it was long covid until the start of 2024. I wonder how many people are in the same situation.
This book covers an in depth overview of what Drs know so far, helping you to understand the disease at a cellular level. The various treatment options are covered as well as what the medical profession is currently working on. Very well written and researched.
If you or anyone you know has long covid this book should be at the top of the list.
My wife has been battling long covid for the last year and a half and we didn’t know that it was long covid until the start of 2024. I wonder how many people are in the same situation.
This book covers an in depth overview of what Drs know so far, helping you to understand the disease at a cellular level. The various treatment options are covered as well as what the medical profession is currently working on. Very well written and researched.
If you or anyone you know has long covid this book should be at the top of the list.
May 23, 2025
Disclaimer: I am biased. I am very interested in the subject, so it makes for a lot of the five star rating I am giving to this book.
This book is intended for anyone who needs to understand this Long Covid condition better: be it if you have symptoms, or a person close to you has symptoms. Since I am already fairly deep in the subject, I can confirm, that this book smack on corresponds to what I've learned so far. If you are sick, you will learn these things hopefully one way or another.
This book is probably even more useful for the family members.
This book is intended for anyone who needs to understand this Long Covid condition better: be it if you have symptoms, or a person close to you has symptoms. Since I am already fairly deep in the subject, I can confirm, that this book smack on corresponds to what I've learned so far. If you are sick, you will learn these things hopefully one way or another.
This book is probably even more useful for the family members.
March 2, 2024
This book should be read by everyone who has, or know someone who has, long covid. If you’re working with people that has long covid as a physician - this book must be on your to be read list!
It gives validation, and some great suggestion for what you should do (rest!!!). And it gives some hope for a brighter future too 🥰
It gives validation, and some great suggestion for what you should do (rest!!!). And it gives some hope for a brighter future too 🥰
March 30, 2023
This is a great resource for anyone looking for information on Long Covid. I liked the way the two authors commented on each topic and I appreciated that they didn’t always agree, but respected the other’s view.
December 30, 2023
Very useful. For me as a sufferer with LC. For people supporting people with LC. And for anyone who knows anyone with LC (you probably do even if you don't know it), or concerned about it on a wider level. Plus a chapter on sexism in healthcare. Some limitations.
March 6, 2025
Overall helpful book.
The author dives deep into long covid literature and share his resources.
I personally like the literature around inflammation and the transparency around the fact that nobody has any clue about the long term consequences of covid.
The author dives deep into long covid literature and share his resources.
I personally like the literature around inflammation and the transparency around the fact that nobody has any clue about the long term consequences of covid.
January 10, 2023
The best book on the subject I've read (listened to) so far.
Well researched, clear explanations and useful insights into the C21 pandemic
Well researched, clear explanations and useful insights into the C21 pandemic
February 13, 2023
A comprehensive resource from two invaluable perspectives: that of a sufferer turned patient advocate and of one of Britain's top immunologists. Informative and, above all, validating.
June 16, 2023
Brilliant book, would definitely recommend and wish I'd read this a long time ago.
October 8, 2023
I was hoping for more management and treatment ideas but overall very well written and I learned a lot of things I didn’t know.
October 8, 2023
long Covid info and tips
My husband has had long Covid symptoms for almost a year now and this book has some great information and tips. I recommend it
My husband has had long Covid symptoms for almost a year now and this book has some great information and tips. I recommend it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews