[Symptoms and options in rehabilitation of post-COVID-19 syndrome (long-COVID)].

Abstract

Today we live in the age of epidemics. More and more serious epidemics are appearing. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) is a highly contagious disease caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The virus probably spread from bats to humans. One virus of Rhinolophus sinicus showed 80% similarity, while the virus strain of Rhinolophus affinis showed 96% similarity with SARS-CoV-2. Human-to-human transmission of the COVID–19 infection has led to the isolation of patients. Due to globalized travel, it has spread worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic, and today it is considered a major public health problem. Besides the acute symptoms after infection, patients and society are also being challenged by long-term health complications associated with COVID–19 including the post-COVID–19 syndrome, also known as long-COVID. Within the post-acute COVID–19 syndrome, two stages are distinguished: subacute COVID–19 between 4 and 12 weeks after acute infection and post-COVID–19 syndrome characterized by symptoms that persist beyond 12 weeks. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that affect several organ systems. Treatment of complaints consists primarily of symptomatic treatment and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Vaccination against COVID–19 is one of the most important means of mitigating the pandemic. Extensive research in recent years has confirmed the effectiveness of the COVID–19 vaccines. International studies have shown that the vaccine has proven to be a protective factor against long-lasting COVID symptoms. In this review, the symptoms, epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis of COVID–19 as well as the effects of the post-COVID–19 syndrome on certain organ systems, its rehabilitation, and the effect of vaccines on the development of symptoms are highlighted. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(33): 1266–1274.