Publication date: Jan 01, 2026
The COVID-19 pandemic had severe impacts worldwide. We assessed the occurrence of a post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) in Brazil and described the persistence of symptoms 4 years after the start of the pandemic. A population-based survey was carried out in 133 large cities in 2024. The current prevalence of 21 COVID-19-related symptoms was recorded for all respondents, regardless of infection history. The World Health Organization’s definition of PCC was adopted. Results were described by country region and socio-demographic characteristics. Of the 33 250 individuals sampled, 28. 6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 27. 3 to 30. 0] reported having had COVID-19, of whom 65. 1% (95% CI 62. 7 to 67. 4) fulfilled the criteria for PCC at any time in the past. Prevalence of PCC was highest among those who were hospitalized and needed intubation or oxygen support [85. 3% (95% CI 79. 6 to 89. 7)]. The average number of current symptoms among those with PCC was 7. 21 (95% CI 6. 73 to 7. 69) compared with 2. 77 (95% CI 2. 62 to 2. 92) among those without a COVID-19 history. The most common symptoms for those with COVID-19 history were memory loss, anosmia, loss of sensitivity in the hands, difficulty in concentration, and hair loss. Women and Indigenous individuals presented a higher average number of symptoms compared with those without a history. A high proportion of individuals who suffered from COVID-19 presented symptoms 4 years after the SARS-CoV-2 emergence; almost two-thirds presented PCC. Population-based studies in different countries are necessary to better understand the epidemiology of this serious condition.
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Factor IX Complex (Human) |
| disease | MESH | PCC |
| disease | MESH | infection |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Oxygen |
| disease | MESH | memory loss |
| disease | MESH | anosmia |
| disease | MESH | hair loss |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Tropicamide |
| disease | MESH | Long Covid |