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Long COVID Support Online

Speak with a bulk billed telehealth GP about long COVID. Symptom assessment, investigations, and referrals to allied health and specialist services.

Can a telehealth GP help with long COVID?

Yes. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can take a thorough post-COVID symptom history by video, order pathology to investigate other causes (full blood count, iron studies, thyroid, inflammatory markers, plus cardiac or respiratory tests where relevant), coordinate specialist referrals, and plan a pacing and recovery approach. Per the World Health Organization definition adopted by Healthdirect Australia, long COVID (post-COVID-19 condition) is symptoms that continue or develop 3 months after infection, last at least 2 months, and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.

There is no single medication that treats long COVID — management focuses on specific symptoms (sleep, mood, pain, breathlessness) and rehabilitation. A Chronic Disease Management Plan can give you access to allied health. The consultation, pathology, and referrals are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

What is long COVID?

Long COVID, also known as post-COVID-19 condition, describes symptoms that continue or develop after the initial COVID-19 infection and persist beyond the expected recovery period. The World Health Organization definition adopted by Healthdirect Australia and the RACGP is symptoms that continue or develop 3 months after infection, last at least 2 months, and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Symptoms vary widely between people and can include fatigue, cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”), breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, sleep disturbance, mood changes, and changes in taste or smell. (Some earlier or research-only definitions used 4-week or 12-week thresholds; the WHO 3-month criterion is the current Australian clinical reference.)

The exact causes of long COVID are still being researched. Management focuses on individualised assessment, treating specific symptoms, excluding other causes, and supported pacing and rehabilitation.

How a telehealth GP can help

A NewDoc GP can take a detailed history, arrange initial investigations, and develop a management plan targeted at your most troublesome symptoms. This may include medications for specific symptoms (for example for pain or sleep), sleep and pacing strategies, and referrals to rehabilitation providers, cardiology, respiratory medicine, neurology, or allied health as appropriate.

Because long COVID can last months, a Chronic Disease Management Plan may be appropriate for some people, giving access to Medicare-rebated allied health sessions. Mental health support, such as a Mental Health Treatment Plan with psychology, can also be part of the plan if mood or anxiety symptoms are contributing.

Risk factors for long COVID

Long COVID can occur in anyone who has had COVID-19, including after mild infections and in children. Research is evolving, but some factors that may be associated with higher risk include the severity of the initial infection (especially requiring hospitalisation), female sex, and pre-existing conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or obesity.

Being unvaccinated or under-vaccinated at the time of infection may also be associated with higher risk of prolonged symptoms in some studies. Your GP will assess your individual situation and review any relevant medical history when discussing your care.

Management approaches

Management is individualised and symptom-led. Fatigue is often addressed with pacing, balancing activity with rest to avoid post-exertional symptom worsening. Overly rapid return to activity is not usually advised. Sleep optimisation, gradual reintroduction of activity where tolerated, and addressing any mental health contributors are important.

For breathlessness, referral to respiratory medicine or a supervised respiratory rehabilitation programme may be considered. For palpitations or chest symptoms, your GP will arrange initial investigations such as an ECG and may refer to cardiology. Pain, headache, and brain fog are managed with a combination of lifestyle strategies, targeted investigations, and therapy-based approaches.

Overlaps with chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression are common. Treating co-existing conditions is often part of long COVID care.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent care for severe chest pain, marked shortness of breath, new neurological symptoms, or any acute deterioration. Call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 15 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP help with long COVID?

Yes. A GP can take a thorough history of your symptoms since COVID-19 infection, arrange investigations to look for other causes, coordinate referrals, and plan a pacing and recovery approach.

What investigations might my GP order?

Depending on symptoms, tests may include a full blood count, iron studies, thyroid function, inflammatory markers, and where relevant, cardiac or respiratory investigations. Referrals to specialists may be appropriate.

Is there a specific medication for long COVID?

There is no single medication that treats long COVID. Management focuses on addressing specific symptoms (such as sleep, mood, pain, or breathlessness) and rehabilitation. Your GP can tailor an individual approach.

Can I get a Chronic Disease Management Plan for long COVID?

If you meet the criteria for a chronic condition lasting or likely to last six months or more, your GP may be able to create a Chronic Disease Management Plan. This can give access to allied health supports such as physiotherapy or psychology.

Is the consultation bulk billed?

Yes. NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the consultation, eScripts, or pathology referrals.

Can I get long COVID care online in Australia?

Yes. Australian-trained GPs can review your symptoms via a secure video consultation, arrange blood tests, prescribe symptom-targeted medications where clinically appropriate, and issue referrals to specialist or allied health services.

How does an online long COVID consultation work?

You book a telehealth appointment, complete a short intake, and meet your GP via video. Your GP will take a detailed symptom history, review any investigations done to date, and plan next steps. Referrals and scripts are issued electronically.

What are the common risk factors for long COVID?

Risk factors may include severity of the initial infection, certain pre-existing conditions, female sex, and age. However, long COVID can occur after mild infections too. Your GP will assess your individual situation.

How do you know if you've got long COVID?

There is no single test for long COVID. Diagnosis is clinical, based on the pattern of symptoms after a confirmed or probable COVID-19 infection. The World Health Organization definition (adopted by Healthdirect Australia and the RACGP) is symptoms that continue or develop 3 months after the initial infection, last at least 2 months, and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Common symptoms include persistent fatigue (especially post-exertional worsening), brain fog (memory and concentration problems), breathlessness, palpitations, sleep disturbance, and changes in mood or smell. Your GP will take a careful history and order pathology (full blood count, iron studies, thyroid function, inflammatory markers) to exclude other causes such as iron deficiency, thyroid disease, or undiagnosed sleep apnoea — these can cause similar symptoms and are treatable.

How long does it take to recover from long COVID?

Recovery is highly variable. The Lung Foundation Australia and Healthdirect note that most people improve gradually over months, with many recovering substantially by 6 to 12 months — but a smaller group experience symptoms for longer than a year. Recovery is rarely linear: setbacks, especially after physical or cognitive overexertion, are common. Pacing (balancing activity with rest to avoid post-exertional symptom worsening) is the cornerstone of management. Your GP can review progress every 4 to 8 weeks, adjust treatment, and reassess whether referrals to a long COVID clinic, respiratory medicine, cardiology, or allied health are needed.

What is the best treatment for long COVID?

There is no single 'best' treatment because long COVID isn't one condition — it's a cluster of symptoms with different drivers in different people. Effective management is symptom-led: targeted medication for sleep, mood, or pain; pacing strategies for fatigue (avoiding 'boom-and-bust' overexertion); supervised respiratory or cardiac rehabilitation where breathlessness or palpitations dominate; and psychology where anxiety or depression are contributing. The RACGP's Caring for adult patients with post-COVID-19 conditions guideline emphasises an individualised, multidisciplinary approach. A Chronic Disease Management Plan can unlock Medicare-rebated allied health (physio, exercise physiology, dietetics, psychology). Long COVID-specific clinics exist in some Australian states; your GP can refer you if appropriate.

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