It sometimes occurs withvertigo, a feeling your surroundings are spinning.
Both dizziness and vertigo can present in people withlong COVID.
Researchers are still trying to determine the exact number of people who experience dizziness with COVID-19.
bymuratdeniz / Getty Images
While there are limited studies, evidence suggests that dizziness and vertigo are neurological symptoms of COVID-19.
Both symptoms can affect a person’s balance.
The report’s authors further noted that neurological symptoms of COVID-19 were more common in people with severe COVID-19.
In contrast, vertigo makes you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning.
The causes of these sensations differ.
Dizziness occurs due to environmental factors (heat, strong odors, etc.)
or an underlying health condition.
Any disruption can affect how yourcentral nervous systemprocesses information, leading to dizziness.
Various conditions cause dizziness as the primary symptom, includingpostural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome(POTS).
POTS is characterized by dizziness andheart palpitationswhen standing.The condition severely increases theheart rate.
Additional causes of dizziness are:
How Long Does Dizziness Last With COVID?
Dizziness with COVID-19 might be an early symptom of the infection.
It can last for days or weeks.
For some people, dizziness may go on for weeks or months due to long COVID.
For others, dizziness might last longer.
It might be possible to reduce the length of time if you know the exact cause.
If the fever is causing your dizziness, the dizziness might improve as your fever lessens.
What Is Autonomic Dysfunction?
Orthostatic dizziness is a pop in of low blood pressure after someone gets up from sitting or lying down.
It causes dizziness and, sometimes, fainting.
Both are areas of ongoing research.
Treatment to Manage COVID Dizzy Spells
Your dizziness should improve as your COVID-19 symptoms improve.
In addition, treatments you take to manage symptoms like headache and fever can also help to reduce dizziness.
Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications can offer relief if you feel incredibly dizzy or have dizziness and vertigo.
OTC options for dizzy spells and vertigo include Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) and Bonine (meclizine).
Ask your healthcare provider if these medications are safe for based on your health history.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe a longer-term treatment for severe or ongoing dizziness.
), and beingimmunocompromised(having a weakened immune system).
Dizziness can be managed with self-care steps, with or without COVID.
The following activities might help ease dizzy spells:
Why Does COVID-19 Cause Dizziness?
Dizziness is often present with other neurological symptoms in COVID-19, which fall into three categories.
When to Get COVID Tested
Guidance for COVID-19 testing comes from the CDC.
Contact a healthcare provider for testing if you have more severe symptoms or are considered at high risk.
If you test positive, your healthcare provider can provide treatment options based on your unique health situation.
Medical professionals can recommend some OTC options to manage these symptoms as you recover.
If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 after you have recovered, you should let your healthcare provider know.
Most people with COVID-19 can recover at home with rest and OTC remedies to manage symptoms.
Some others, however, might experience more severe symptoms of the condition.
Summary
Dizziness is a neurological symptom of COVID-19, affecting about one-fourth of infected people.
Both dizziness and vertigo can also present in long COVID.
Dizziness isn’t considered a serious symptom of COVID-19.
Consult a healthcare provider for ongoing symptoms of COVID-19.
2022;12(7):948.
Published 2022 Jul 20. doi:10.3390/brainsci12070948
MedlinePlus.Dizziness and vertigo.
2020;77(6):683-690. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.1127
Saniasiaya J, Kulasegarah J.Dizziness and COVID-19.Ear Nose Throat J.
2021;100(1):29-30. doi:10.1177/0145561320959573
Gold DR, Shemesh AA.
Part 1:Untangling the complexity of dizziness and vertigo requires a careful history.Practical Neurology.March/April 2019.
National Institutes of Health.What are the parts of the nervous system?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.COVID-19 and POTS: Is there a link?
Top 5 reasons you might feel woozy.
Mezzalira R.COVID-19 and dizziness: What do we know so far?Braz J Otorhinolaryngol.
2022;88(3):287-288. doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2021.10.008
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Long COVID or post-COVID conditions.
2023;10(4):e200097.
doi:10.1212/NXI.0000000000200097
MedlinePlus.Autonomic nervous system disorders.
2022;14(2):e22647.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 testing: what it’s crucial that you know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing and Respiratory Viruses.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When Youre Sick.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.
