How can I recognise post-COVID?

The symptoms that persist in post-COVID and the severity of those symptoms can differ from one person to another. People often suffer from:

• tiredness
• concentration problems
• memory problems
• hypersensitivity to light and sound
• shortness of breath
• headache
• depression and/or irritability
• sleep disturbance
• muscle pain
• dizziness

They may also have other symptoms, such as heart palpitations and muscle and joint pain. 

What should I do if I have post-COVID? 

Did you have a SARS-CoV-2 infection? And have you been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms for several weeks? Then discuss your symptoms with your GP. Your GP can help you decide whether additional tests or care are needed. These organisations can also help you: 

• C-support supports and advises people with long-term symptoms after COVID-19. 
• PostCovidNL is committed to improving quality of life for people with post-COVID. This organisation also facilitates contact with other people who have post-COVID.

What is the difference between post-COVID and Long COVID? 

There is no difference. Post-COVID is a description for persistent symptoms after COVID-19: ‘post’ means ‘after’ in Latin. It was first referred to as ‘Long COVID’ because the symptoms last for a long time. But the long-term symptoms persist even after the infection is gone. For that reason, ‘post-COVID’ is a more accurate name. 

Can children get post-COVID? 

Yes, children, adolescents and young adults can also get post-COVID. If you think that your child may have post-COVID, talk to your GP. Your GP can help you decide whether additional tests or care are needed. More information for children, adolescents and young adults with post-COVID is available at Government.nl. 

Can a COVID-19 vaccination prevent post-COVID?

Post-COVID means that a person has long-term symptoms after COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccination lowers the risk of serious illness due to COVID-19, and also lowers the risk of developing post-COVID symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. But the COVID-19 vaccination cannot completely prevent post-COVID.

We are still learning how post-COVID occurs, what form of immunity is needed to prevent post-COVID, and what factors increase the likelihood of developing post-COVID. However, it is clear that there is a lower risk of post-COVID after infection with an Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, compared to earlier variants. As a result, the Health Council has recommended that it is not necessary to give the COVID-19 vaccination to the entire population of the Netherlands as a prevention measure against post-COVID.

COVID-19 vaccination not for everyone with post-COVID

The COVID-19 vaccination partially and temporarily prevents you from getting (severe) COVID-19. Even after a COVID-19 vaccination, you could still get COVID-19. It is not known whether the COVID-19 vaccination prevents post-COVID symptoms from getting worse if you have another SARS-CoV-2 infection after having post-COVID.

Do you have post-COVID? Then the Health Council only recommends a COVID-19 vaccination if you are in one of the target groups of the 2024 autumn round. The vaccination against COVID-19 is given to lower the risk of hospital admission, ICU admission and death resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  In its advisory opinion, the Health Council stated that there is no evidence that people with post-COVID have a higher risk of hospital admission, ICU admission or death due to COVID-19. 

There is no general advice for patients with post-COVID to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Patients with post-COVID who are unsure about getting the COVID-19 vaccination should talk to their doctor about the best course of action in their situation. If your doctor advises you to get the COVID-19 vaccination, you can make a vaccination appointment with the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) near you. You can make an appointment via planjeprik.nl or 0800-7070.

Is any research being conducted on post-COVID?

Yes, post-COVID is being researched extensively in the Netherlands and in other countries. 

• The website at Postcovidonderzoek.nl offers the option for people with post-COVID in the Netherlands to sign up to participate in scientific research on post-COVID. The website was created by Post-COVID Netwerk Nederland, a joint initiative of patients, scientists, healthcare professionals and community partners in Dutch society. They work together on scientific research and patient care. RIVM is also affiliated with the network.
• The government has allocated 32 million euros for post-COVID research for the 2023–2026 period. 
• The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) is funding various studies on post-COVID. 
• The European Commission has established a European network of expertise on post-covid. Various European countries are pooling their knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment of post-COVID.