Post-infectious diseases

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Influenza may have long subsided, and glandular fever, SARS or COVID-19 may be over, yet for many people the illness does not end with the acute infection. Numerous individuals continue to suffer from severe health impairments months or even years later. Fatigue, chronic pain, palpitations and shortness of breath often lead to an inability to work and make it difficult to cope with everyday life. This significantly reduces individual quality of life and also has negative effects on society and the economy.

Last edited: 16. April 2026

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the number of these patients has risen markedly. The terms post-COVID and long COVID have since become widely used, bringing the issue of post-infectious conditions into public awareness. Some of those affected develop symptoms consistent with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a severe neuroimmune disorder that can lead to physical disability. In addition to physical weakness, some patients also experience neurocognitive and immunological symptoms.

Infections with influenza viruses, the Epstein–Barr virus, SARS-CoV-1 and -2, and other pathogens are considered potential triggers. However, little is yet known about the underlying mechanisms. Reliable biomarkers for molecular identification are lacking, making a clear diagnosis difficult. Treatment is equally challenging, with current approaches focusing primarily on alleviating severe symptoms. A specific, approved therapy is not yet available.

The working group is examining how well people with long COVID in Germany are currently provided with medical care and what data on post-infectious conditions are available. It is also analysing the current state of research on the causes and disease mechanisms of post-infectious illnesses in order to develop evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, care and prevention.

Spokespersons of the working group

Further members of the working group

  • Prof. Dr Uta Behrends, Paediatric Infectiology and Immunobiology, TU Munich
  • Prof. Dr Sandra Ciesek, Université Goethe de Francfort-sur-le-Main  
  • Prof. Dr Christian Drosten, Institut de virologie, Charité – Centre médical universitaire de Berlin 
  • Prof. Dr Jutta Gärtner, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre Göttingen
  • Prof Dr Jochen Gensichen, Institute for General Medicine, LMU Munich
  • Prof Dr Eberhard Hildt, Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering, Potsdam
  • Prof Dr Stefan Huster, Institute for Social and Health Law, Ruhr University Bochum
  • Prof. Dr Hans-Georg Kräusslich, Centre for Infectiology, Heidelberg University Hospital
  • Prof Dr Thomas Krieg, Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne
  • Prof Dr Jörg Meerpohl, Institute for Evidence in Medicine, University of Freiburg
  • Prof Dr Sven Meuth, Clinic for Neurology, University of Düsseldorf
  • Prof. Dr Ulrike Protzer, Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Centre Munich
  • Prof Dr Andreas Radbruch, Department of Experimental Rheumatology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
  • Prof Dr Bettina Schöne Seifert, Institute of Ethics, History and Theory of Medicine, University of Münster
  • Prof Dr Leonie Sundmacher, Department of Health Economics, TU Munich
  • Prof Dr Lothar Wieler, Digital Global Public Health, Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering, Potsdam

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