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Almost 1700 people registered with the IV in 2021 because of Long Covid. The overview of the findings of the BAG.
What are the symptoms? According to Linda Nartey, Head of the Prevention and Health Care Directorate at the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG), the symptoms of Long Covid are: breathing problems, shortness of breath, exhaustion, pain in the joints, headaches and concentration problems. They could appear individually or together. The symptoms can be very distressing for those affected. Symptoms are often not taken seriously at first. “It is important for those affected that their complaints are clarified quickly,” said Nartey. Recognizing and acknowledging the disease is important.
How does the vaccination work? “Vaccination can have a positive effect on the symptoms of Long Covid and alleviate them,” says Mayssam Nehme, Head of the Department of Family Medicine at the University Hospital of Geneva. In 36 percent of those surveyed who were vaccinated after the illness, the symptoms would have subsided, and only 3.3 percent would have gotten worse, explains Nehme. These findings come from a Geneva study in which 1,500 people were interviewed three months after their Covid infection.
Vaccination can have a positive effect on and mitigate the symptoms of Long Covid.
A corona vaccination can reduce the risk of Long Covid, says epidemiologist Milo Puhan. However, there is not much data on this yet. “Many studies still leave a certain amount of uncertainty as to the extent to which vaccination actually reduces the risk.”
Where can you find help? General practitioners are the first point of contact. They take care of clarification, diagnosis and care. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialized consultation, especially in difficult cases.
The Geneva University Hospital has one interactive platform developed for an information exchange on Long Covid. There, those affected should find information on the frequency of symptoms in children and adults and on the treatment options for Long Covid. “We also offer a chat point. In this way, we get in touch with people interactively and, if necessary, refer them to other doctors so that they can be treated properly,” explains the Geneva clinic director.
Last year around 1700 people registered with the Disability Insurance (IV) in connection with Long Covid. That is two to three percent of all registrations. Corinne Zbären, deputy head of the disability insurance division at the Federal Social Insurance Office, says it is difficult if not impossible to estimate how the numbers will develop in the current year. However, the number of registrations has remained stable in recent months.
How many people are affected? Depending on the study, a different proportion of people suffering from Covid 19 are affected, according to Rudolf Hauri, President of the Association of Cantonal Physicians (VKS). Regardless of exact numbers, a significant part of the population seems to suffer from symptoms, some of which are serious, over a long period of time.
According to Nartey, a register for long-Covid cases is being discussed. She assumes that a decision will be made in this regard in the coming weeks and months.