“It’s quite a dark, long journey to the light at the end of the tunnel”: a qualitative study of children’s experiences of living with Long COVID

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on global health, with some individuals experiencing long-term health effects known as Long COVID. This study explored the lived experiences of children with Long COVID, providing further insight into the impacts and needs within this group. METHODS AND MEASURES: Semi-structured interviews, facilitated by children's drawings, were conducted with 15 children. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (1) 'I feel completely different': the physical and emotional burden of Long COVID (2) 'Like the buzz of people speaking and I can't concentrate': education challenges created by Long COVID, (3) 'I'm on my third friend group since I've had COVID': disrupted relationships and fractured connections and (4) 'What can I do now to get myself better?': managing life with Long COVID. These findings reveal a narrative of loss and change during key developmental periods. CONCLUSION: This research illustrates the life-altering impact of Long COVID on children across many domains. Despite these challenges children were hopeful for the future. A multi-faceted approach to management is needed, including utilising technology to aid self-management strategies such as pacing and to support social connection, as well as psychological support and school adjustments.