Post-Covid Syndrome: These late effects can occur

After a corona infection, certain symptoms persist in many patients. Doctors speak of post-Covid syndrome. What's behind it?

We have not yet fully survived the corona pandemic, but doctors and scientists already have to deal with the long-term consequences of the infection: According to this, many patients who have survived the disease report permanent symptoms such as persistent fatigue and a feeling of weakness. According to "ÄrzteZeitung", the complaints mainly appear after a mild course of the disease. Experts refer to the phenomenon as post-Covid syndrome.

Permanent symptoms after the illness

According to reports, the following symptoms in particular occur after a mild infection with corona:

  • persistent exhaustion to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
  • persistent fatigue
  • forgetfulness
  • nightmares
  • Stress intolerance

Sometimes there is depression, that last longer than six months and can therefore become chronic.

The experts are particularly concerned about the more common CFS, which can lead to some other unpleasant symptoms such as sleep disorders, headaches or difficulty concentrating. This is because the disease has been more common after corona-like pandemics: "Concerning data provide previous SARS and MERS epidemics after which CFS has occurred frequently," said Professor Dr. Carmen Scheibenbogen from the Charité Berlin opposite "Medscape". Initial study results also show a connection between corona infections and more common CFS.

Take symptoms seriously

Anyone who has complaints of post-Covid syndrome after surviving corona infection should definitely see their doctor. Precisely because there is a risk that the symptoms become chronic, you should not take them lightly and expect them to improve on their own.

Handbags are generally not a great risk of infection – nevertheless, these hygiene measures are worthwhile.

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What helps against post-Covid syndrome?

Doctors are currently working on developing rehabilitation programs to help affected patients. At the Clinic for Pneumology at the Hannover Medical School (MHH), for example, around 100 people are currently being treated with Post-Covid syndrome, Clinic director Professor Tobias Welte told the "ÄrzteZeitung".