Some children still experiencing long COVID symptoms more than 3 years after infection, new UK study finds

New UK research finds a small group of young people continue to report fatigue and multiple symptoms years after COVID-19.

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Published: May 21, 2026 at 12:47 PM

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More than three years after their initial COVID-19 infection, some children and teenagers are still experiencing ongoing symptoms, according to new UK research.

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The latest findings from the CLoCk study, published this week in BMC Public Health, suggest that a small group of young people who developed post-COVID-19 condition, often called long COVID, continue to report significant fatigue and other symptoms 3.5 years later.

Researchers say the results highlight the ongoing impact for a subset of young people, particularly in relation to school, daily life and social participation.

What did the study look at?

The research focused on children and young people who had already met the criteria for post-COVID-19 condition at multiple earlier follow-ups.

Sixty-eight young people from the wider CLoCk study, who had persistently met long COVID criteria at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after infection, were invited to take part in a further follow-up around 3.5 years after their initial positive test.

Fifty completed the survey. Of those, 42, or 84%, continued to meet the definition of post-COVID-19 condition 3.5 years after infection.

The participants were aged between 11 and 17 at the time of infection.

Importantly, this group represents a subset of young people with persistent symptoms, not all children who had COVID-19.

What symptoms are teenagers still reporting?

Among the 42 young people who continued to meet the long COVID definition:

Fatigue emerged as the central and most consistent symptom. Many also described additional physical and cognitive difficulties that affected their daily lives.

The study used both surveys and open-text responses, allowing young people to describe their experiences in their own words. Researchers found that while questionnaires captured the scale of symptoms, the qualitative responses gave important context about how deeply those symptoms were affecting education, friendships and everyday routines.

The authors concluded that children and young people with persistent post-COVID-19 condition “experience multiple symptoms of wide-ranging severity and disruption to daily life, education and social participation”.

How common is long COVID in children?

Most children who catch COVID-19 recover fully within a few weeks.

This study does not suggest that the majority of children remain unwell years later. Instead, it focuses specifically on a group who had already experienced ongoing symptoms for at least two years.

However, for families in that situation, the findings may feel validating. Persistent fatigue in teenagers can sometimes be misunderstood or attributed to lifestyle, school stress or normal adolescence.

The research suggests that for some young people, symptoms remain significant and long-lasting.

What does this mean for parents?

Fatigue was the only symptom reported by all affected participants, making it the most prominent feature of long COVID in this group.

Ongoing tiredness in teenagers may show up as:

The study highlights that the impact extends beyond physical health, affecting confidence, education and peer relationships.

If your child continues to experience symptoms weeks or months after a COVID infection, it is worth speaking to your GP. The NHS provides guidance and some areas offer specialist long COVID services for children and young people.

The bigger picture

Long COVID in adults has been widely discussed, but evidence in children and teenagers is still evolving.

This 3.5-year follow-up adds to previous findings from the CLoCk study, showing that while many young people recover, a smaller group continue to face ongoing challenges.

For parents, the key takeaway is balance. Most children recover well after COVID-19. But if symptoms persist and are affecting daily life, it is important to seek medical advice and not dismiss concerns.

As understanding of post-COVID-19 condition develops, research like this aims to improve recognition, support and services for the young people who continue to live with its effects.

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Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.

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