[GER] Post-infectious syndromes in the post-pandemic phase among the German general population, 2026, Frost et al.

[Chandelier]

Post-infectious syndromes in the post-pandemic phase among the German general population

Spoiler: Authors

Frost, Jonas; Peter, Friederike; Glaser, Nadine; Frese, Thomas; Heuser, Michael; Gekle, Michael; Girndt, Matthias; Opel, Nils; Behrens, Thomas; Karch, André; Muellmann, Saskia; Zeeb, Hajo; Tüscher, Oliver; Mikolajczyk, Rafael

Spoiler: German Abstract

Hintergrund: Lang anhaltende Beschwerden nach Atemwegsinfektionen können das tägliche Leben beeinträchtigen. Das zeigt sich unter anderem am Beispiel von Long-COVID. Ziel dieser Studie war es, zu untersuchen, wie häufig Symptome auftreten, die ≥ 12 Wochen nach einer Atemwegsinfektion bestehen, und wie sich diese individuell auswirken. Ein weiterer Endpunkt war die damit verbundene Inanspruchnahme einer Gesundheitsversorgung in der Allgemeinbevölkerung.

Methode: Diese Querschnittstudie wurde innerhalb der deutschen bevölkerungsbasierten digitalen Kohorte DigiHero (DRKS00025600) durchgeführt. 39,3 % der eingeladenen Personen nahmen an einer Online-Befragung teil. 46 915 Erwachsene wurden in die Analyse einbezogen. Erfragt wurden lang anhaltende Symptome, die ≥ 12 Wochen nach respiratorischen Infektionen zwischen September 2024 und August 2025 bestanden.

Ergebnisse: 48,3 % (95-%-Konfidenzintervall: [47,9; 48,8]) der Befragten berichteten mindestens eine Atemwegsinfektion im Untersuchungszeitraum, davon gaben 18,8 % [18,3; 19,3] eine Symptomdauer von ≥ 12 Wochen nach Infektion an. Dieser Anteil stieg mit zunehmendem Alter (von 13,1 % bei 20- bis 29-Jährigen auf 21,4 % bei 60- bis 69-Jährigen). 86,8 % der Betroffenen berichteten über eine mindestens moderate Beeinträchtigung und 57,9 % nahmen eine medizinische Versorgung in Anspruch. Unter den Patientinnen und Patienten mit lang anhaltenden Symptomen war der Erreger der vorausgegangenen Infektion bei 24,3 % bekannt: Bei 483 Fällen war es SARS-CoV-2, bei 102 Influenza und bei 36 RSV. Symptomdauer, Beeinträchtigung und Symptommuster waren nach vorausgegangener Infektion mit SARS-CoV-2 und Influenza ähnlich. Unabhängig des ursächlichen Erregers waren eine verminderte körperliche Leistungsfähigkeit, Atemnot, schnelle Erschöpfung sowie Müdigkeit die häufigsten Symptome.

Schlussfolgerung: Lang anhaltende Symptome nach Atemwegsinfektionen kommen relativ häufig vor und sind hinsichtlich Häufigkeit und Schweregrad bei verschiedenen Erregern ähnlich.

Abstract (machine translation)

Background: Persistent symptoms following respiratory infections can impair daily life, as demonstrated, among other examples, by Long COVID. The aim of this study was to investigate how frequently symptoms persist for ≥12 weeks after a respiratory infection and how they affect individuals. A further endpoint was the associated use of healthcare services in the general population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted within the German population-based digital cohort DigiHero (DRKS00025600). Of those invited, 39.3% participated in an online survey. A total of 46'915 adults were included in the analysis. Persistent symptoms lasting ≥12 weeks after respiratory infections occurring between September 2024 and August 2025 were assessed.

Results: Among the respondents, 48.3% (95% confidence interval: [47.9; 48.8]) reported at least one respiratory infection during the study period; of these, 18.8% [18.3; 19.3] reported a symptom duration of ≥12 weeks after the infection. This proportion increased with age, from 13.1% among 20- to 29-year-olds to 21.4% among 60- to 69-year-olds. A total of 86.8% of those affected reported at least moderate impairment, and 57.9% sought medical care. Among patients with persistent symptoms, the pathogen responsible for the preceding infection was known in 24.3% of cases: 483 cases involved SARS-CoV-2, 102 involved influenza, and 36 involved RSV. Symptom duration, impairment, and symptom patterns were similar following previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. Regardless of the causative pathogen, reduced physical capacity, shortness of breath, rapid exhaustion, and fatigue were the most common symptoms.

Conclusion: Persistent symptoms following respiratory infections are relatively common and are similar across different pathogens in terms of both frequency and severity.

Web | DOI | Deutsches Ärzteblatt international | Paywall (account required)

 

[rvallee]

"When did you learn about this?"
"Quickly."
"Did you know of this before?"
"Oh, sure, we've known for decades"
"And what did you do about it?"
laughs "Nothing, of course! Why bother?"
"Did you get data confirming it?"
"Constantly. Never stopped. In fact it was even more common and disabling than we thought."
"And still you refused to do anything?"
"Oh, yeah, we still don't care one bit. Fuck those people, making us look like fools."

I guess? I don't know at this point. This all feels like a damn Twilight Zone episode. What is even the premise of an expert system that knows all this and still refuses to do anything about it? Even though it's far worse than doing nothing. Even though it's far more expensive to do nothing. And excessively cruel, to the point of being sadistic.

People should go to prison for this. Lots of people. And fines in the tens of billions. And yet nothing at all will happen. Not even the slap on the wrists that the tobacco companies got, even though this is far more public and supported by known evidence, and just as monstrous. Hell, sometimes they gloat about it.

Eventually it will be found that common infections like this are responsible for most chronic health problems. And not a single person responsible for this disaster will face consequences. We truly are a toddler civilization, barbarians with nukes.

 

[V.R.T.]

People should go to prison for this. Lots of people. And fines in the tens of billions.

I think it's important to keep this in mind. Yes it probably won't happen but this is what true justice for pwME would look like.