You don’t need to be 100% recovered from long COVID to consider a return to work or school. However, if you’re still experiencing symptom flare-ups and setbacks, or push/crash cycle (see the Post-Exertional Malaise [PEM] section to learn more about this cycle), it may not be recommended to increase your activities or plan/start a gradual return to work.

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There are many reasons why a person might want to return to work or school, and there are different options available depending on your reason(s), resources, and circumstances.

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Your main reason for wanting to return to work might be financial. If symptoms of PEM or Dysautonomiaare still making your daily life difficult for you, there may be options available other than immediately returning to work as usual. (For other possible options, please see Return to Work for People Living with Long COVID resource from Realize.org.)