The RIVM started the LongCOVID study this week. The RIVM asks people who tested positive for corona to register for the study within 7 days after the positive test result via longcovid.rivm.nl. People without a (recent) positive test result can also participate. With this study, the RIVM wants to investigate over a longer period of time how many people have long-term health complaints after an infection with the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. It is also investigating what these complaints are and how long they last. Examples of long-term health complaints after corona are fatigue, shortness of breath and pain.
The LongCOVID study follows participants over a longer period of time. RIVM not only looks at how often and which complaints occur after a positive corona test. It also investigates whether it can be predicted which people will have long-term complaints, and which people will not. RIVM can use this data to map the long-term health impact of an infection with SARS-CoV-2.
How does it work?
We ask participants in the study to regularly fill out a questionnaire for a year about their health, whether and when they have been vaccinated, and their use of care and medicines. It is important that participants continue to fill out the questionnaire throughout the year, even if there are no complaints, or if the complaints have already disappeared. This is the only way we can investigate how often people develop long-term health complaints after corona, and how these complaints progress.
Who can participate?
The LongCOVID study is currently aimed at young people aged 16 and over and adults. Children under 16 will soon be able to participate. We ask people with a positive corona test to register for the study within 7 days of the test result. The participation of people who tested negative, or who were not tested for corona, is also important for the study as a control group. Data from people who have had corona and who register later than 7 days after a positive test are analyzed separately from the other participants. This also applies to people who have had corona and have had long-term complaints upon registration.
Participate?
People can register at longcovid.rivm.nl. On the RIVM website more information can be found about this study and other RIVM studies into the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
