FAQ

Yes. There is a brochure in simple language and there is one poster in simple language available. An animation has also been made in which the information, which corresponds to that from the folder, is explained. You can find this via this link view. It explains what Long COVID / post-COVID is. What complaints most people have. What someone can go to C-support and PostCovid NL for and what they can do for a patient.

Yes. There is information in 11 different languages ​​about what Long COVID / post-COVID is. What kind of complaints most people have. What someone can go to C-support and PostCovid NL for. And what they can do for a patient. This is on www.c-support.nu/talen. There is also a toolkit with materials for non-native speakers and low-literates. This can be found here: www.c-support.nu/toolkit-voor-communication-in-multiple-languages/ If desired, C-support will activate an interpreter telephone if there is contact with someone who speaks another language.

No, there is (as yet) no test to demonstrate post-COVID. That is why it is important to rule out another medical cause or explanation for your symptoms before talking about post-COVID. That is why you should always visit your GP first.

Uit research it appears that 1 in 8 people who have been infected with COVID develop long-term complaints (post-COVID). It is difficult to estimate the exact number of post-COVID patients because there is no national registration. In the MIT report is based on 450.000 patients, of which 90.000 patients with serious long-term complaints. This also includes children and young people.

Yes. Post-infectious conditions such as post-COVID, ME/CFS, Q fever and Lyme disease show certain similarities with each other. Similar complaints:

• Extreme fatigue
• PEM (complaints after physical and mental exertion)
• Dysautonomia (nervous system dysregulation)
• Muscle and joint complaints
• Poor quality of sleep

Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe several conditions that cause a disruption of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system then does not function properly. There are several causes of dysautonomia, including post-infectious syndromes (such as post-COVID and QVS), ME/CFS, but also Parkinson's disease, for example. Dysautonomia mainly occurs in women. View our page about the different forms of dysautonomia for more information.

PEM stands for Post Exertional Malaise, which refers to an aggravation of complaints after (over)exertion. Complaints can arise acutely or develop 12-48 hours after physical, cognitive and/or emotional exertion. These complaints can last for days or in some cases weeks. In particular, exhaustion for a considerable time after the exertion is typical. View our page about PEM for more information.

'POTS' stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. This is more common in post-COVID patients. This means that when changing position (for example from lying to standing) the heart rate suddenly increases significantly. This often causes various other complaints (including palpitations, fainting, headache, fatigue). This indicates a autonomic nervous system dysfunction. View our here page about POTS for more information.

MCAS is a condition in which mast cells in the body inappropriately activate and release substances. This causes a wide range of symptoms that often mimic allergic reactions. Examples include skin complaints such as redness and itching, circulatory problems such as low blood pressure and fainting, gastrointestinal complaints such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea, respiratory complaints such as nasal congestion or itching, and other symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and a general feeling of being unwell. View our page about MCAS for more information.

When health changes permanently, many people experience Living Loss: recurring grief over what is no longer taken for granted. People with post-infectious conditions sometimes lose parts of their health, daily abilities, social roles, or future plans. This loss is often unpredictable, intense, and not always visible to the outside world. Loved ones also experience changes in their lives and roles, which can likewise evoke feelings of loss in them.

PEM and POTS are now concepts that are familiar to most general practitioners and specialists. This knowledge will certainly be included in an update of guidelines. When these updates are planned, we do not know. It is the task of the various professional associations to adjust guidelines. C-support naturally shares knowledge about this. It is known that it has been included in the guidelines of occupational physicians en sports physicians.

There is not yet much scientifically substantiated knowledge about post-COVID and pregnancy. However, there are Recommendations from an article in The Lancet translated into the Dutch context. View this link for this. Post-COVID and pregnancy

Can post-COVID increase the risk of thrombosis?

How can thrombosis develop post-COVID?

What can you do yourself to reduce the risk?

When should you contact your GP?

We regularly receive questions from post-COVID patients about the off-label use of SSRIs. See here for more information on the use of SSRIs.

We regularly receive questions from post-COVID patients about the off-label use of LDN. See here for more information about using LDN.

Paxlovid is registered in the Netherlands for the group of high-risk patients, to reduce the chance of a more serious acute course of a COVID infection (hospitalization, ICU admission or death) in the event of (re)infection. At this time, there is insufficient scientific evidence that starting Paxlovid in people with post-COVID, at the time of (re)infection, leads to a less serious course or relapse. That is why post-COVID is not included in the group of high-risk patients who have an indication to receive this at the time of (re)infection. There is also no scientific basis for using Paxlovid for the treatment of post-COVID, although this is currently being investigated. In the Netherlands, there is currently no possibility for people with post-COVID to qualify for Paxlovid on an individual basis, with the help of a general practitioner or another doctor.

Doing activities in measured doses can be helpful, an occupational therapist can advise you on this. View this videos about energy and recovery  

Yes, that is possible. Fighting the complaints and not being able to accept them costs energy. Energy that is badly needed to recover. We often notice that if people accept the situation and can 'surrender' more to the complaints, this benefits the recovery. However, simply accepting the complaints does not ensure that the complaints are gone and the patient is better again. So, as mentioned, it is helpful but not healing. Our aftercare advisor can advise you further in the process of accepting complaints. There are also training courses available (e.g. ACT).

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which you inhale 100% oxygen through a mask at a pressure that is higher than the normal ambient pressure. This takes place in a large space in which the pressure can be increased. Due to the increased pressure, your body can absorb approximately 12,5 times as much oxygen in the blood plasma as normal. The tissues that receive too little oxygen receive more oxygen as a result. The treatment ensures that, among other things, new blood vessels grow, pain symptoms decrease and immune cells work better. It is an intensive treatment that usually consists of 30-40 sessions of 2 hours, for 6-8 weeks. It seems that some patients can improve, but relapse after treatment is also known.

In the long term, it could potentially provide a solution for patients with long-term cognitive impairment. More scientific research is needed to prove that this therapy can work in post-COVID.

No, this therapy is not reimbursed for post-COVID. The effectiveness of this treatment has not yet been proven. Research is currently being conducted (internationally).

Costs vary widely. 40 treatments cost thousands of euros and are at your own expense.

No, C-support cannot refer you. We only provide advice; for medical referrals, please contact your GP or specialist. Referrals to clinics for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for post-COVID treatment are possible, but the effectiveness of this treatment has not yet been proven and is not covered by health insurance. Research is currently underway. here the latest update.

Yes, that is possible. Each year, the target groups for whom the vaccine is made available are determined. It is recommended that people with vulnerable health who are at greater risk of a serious infection (severe acute course of illness with increased risk of hospitalization, ICU admission or death) and healthcare workers who work with these vulnerable people. There are no indications that people with post-COVID have a high risk of hospitalization, ICU admission or death due to corona, which is why they do not fall under the target group. However, people who want a vaccination for individual reasons can make an appointment at the GGD for a vaccination.  

Based on scientific research, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) has determined that vaccination should be given to groups at higher risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. These are people aged 60 and over and younger people with underlying health conditions who also receive the invitation for the annual flu shot. These are people with heart or lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or other conditions that weaken their immune system. For people with post-COVID-19 infections, a disrupted immune response likely plays a role, but there is currently insufficient evidence that they are more likely to experience a more severe course of the acute illness (i.e., a higher risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, or death) upon re-infection. Therefore, post-COVID-19 is not an indication for vaccination. An exception to this is the group of people who have demonstrable lung damage (as assessed by CT scan and/or lung function) from a previous COVID-19 infection. This also includes people who developed asthma after their previous COVID-19 infection. These two groups are also being invited for flu vaccinations by the Municipal Health Service (GGD).

The reaction to a vaccination can vary each time. It is therefore difficult to predict whether and which side effects you will develop after vaccination. Most complaints after vaccination are mild and short-lived. The most common side effects are fever, fatigue, headache and muscle pain.   We now know from research that vaccination can also have an effect on post-COVID complaints. In most cases, vaccination does not have a major effect on existing complaints, although this is difficult to predict individually. Improvement of complaints in general is more common than worsening of complaints. The choice of whether or not to vaccinate remains an individual consideration and is personal. If you decide to vaccinate, ensure a good balance between activities and rest in the days surrounding the vaccination.

There has been very limited research into this, with varying results. Patient experiences show that vaccination sometimes has a (temporary) effect on post-COVID complaints, both positively and negatively. However, re-infection also gives a chance of (temporary) deterioration. The choice of whether or not to vaccinate remains an individual consideration and is personal. If you still have doubts about (re)vaccination, you can always consult your treating (family) doctor and/or C-support. You can also call the Doubt Phone, available daily between 8.30:13.00 am and 088:7 pm on 555-777 XNUMX XNUMX (also English, Turkish and Arabic).

No, if you are otherwise healthy, you will not receive an invitation for the annual flu shot. Only older people aged 60 and over and younger people with underlying diseases will receive an invitation. An exception to this is the group of people who have demonstrable lung damage (by a CT scan and/or lung function) after a previous corona infection. This also includes people who have developed asthma after their previous COVID-19 infection.

If you would like to get the flu shot because you are afraid that the flu could worsen your long-term symptoms, you can discuss this with your GP. Often, if there are sufficient vaccines available at your GP or pharmacy, you can get a flu shot at your own request. This will incur costs for you. A flu shot only helps against getting sick from the influenza virus. There are also many other cold viruses in circulation. The flu shot does not protect against these.

• Practice good hand hygiene and ask your household members and visitors to do the same.
• Avoid contact with people who have symptoms consistent with a respiratory infection (such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat and a runny or runny nose).
• If contact is necessary, remember to wear a face mask, practice extra hand hygiene and sneeze or cough into your elbow.
• Ensure adequate ventilation of indoor areas.

No, the WIA assessment takes place after two years. No exception is made for post-COVID patients. However, it was possible for an employer to receive a subsidy for the extension of a third year of illness for people who became ill between March 2020 and December 2020. This subsidy scheme no longer applies. Employers can voluntarily choose to extend a third year of illness, but they must then continue to pay at their own expense. Sometimes this happens when people have almost fully built up hours. More information about the WIA can be found on the Method.

Ask for a second opinion from another company doctor. Do this in consultation with your aftercare advisor. You can also point out to the company doctor the NVAB guidelines for occupational physicians (own professional group), which provides an explanation, vision and tools for the company doctor for people with post-COVID complaints.

It is important to find a good balance between the workload and your own resilience. To support you in this you can:

• Online training SterQ at work
• Watch this one videos about energy and recovery
• View information, tips and tools on the Method

You will have to report yourself (partly) sick to your employer. The Gatekeeper Improvement Act sets out all the steps that you and your employer must take.

• Have a look at animation about the Gatekeeper Improvement Act;
• In Method you will find information, tips and tools that can support you in reporting sick (partially) and the associated procedures you will have to deal with.

If you have reported sick, you and your employer must take steps to ensure that you can return to work. This is called reintegration. The rules that you and your employer must adhere to are set out in the Gatekeeper Improvement Act. You are required to cooperate with your reintegration. You will therefore have to do everything you can to return to the workplace as quickly as possible. Together with your employer, you are responsible for keeping your absence as short as possible and speeding up your reintegration. There are several steps that have been laid down:  

• More information can be found on the website of the UWV.
• Watch this one animation about the Gatekeeper Improvement Act
• Also take a look at the Method for all people with an infectious disease.

The occupational expert is a specialist in the field of people, work and income. He or she often comes into the picture after the first-year evaluation in which the company doctor has drawn up an employability profile (IZP) stating what the possibilities are. The occupational expert translates the burden of your function into the capacity as determined by the company doctor. The occupational expert then goes through the following 4 questions:

1. is your own work appropriate?
2. Can your own work be made suitable with adjustments/facilities?
3. Is there any other suitable work within the organization?
4. Are there any other suitable opportunities outside the organization?

If you are still unable to work (partly) after two years of being (partly) ill, you will have to deal with the WIA. WIA stands for: Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act.

• Watch this short animation;
• FAQ about WIA and Long COVID
• You can read more about the WIA on the Method

No. Drawing up medical reports requires specific occupational or medical expertise. For this you can call on one of the many consultancy firms. Ask your legal advisor at your union, the legal desk or the legal aid insurer which consultancy firms you can consult. C-support does not carry out these expertises itself. However, your aftercare advisor can help you find the right path.

Yes, there is always a short waiting time; this can vary. Check this page for the current waiting times.

You can register with C-support if you still have symptoms three months or longer after your coronavirus infection or vaccination. These symptoms vary widely. Some people are mainly tired or have difficulty concentrating. But physical complaints such as headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, and shortness of breath are also common. Or mental complaints such as anxiety and depression. We also see problems at work, for example because people have to return to work too soon. Or precisely because they have been ill for a year or longer and are consequently facing financial difficulties. We look at all the consequences of the symptoms you are experiencing. And what is needed to improve your situation.

Yes, you can always register with C-support if you still have symptoms three months or longer after your coronavirus infection or coronavirus vaccination.

You can register with C-support if you had COVID-3 for three months or more and are still experiencing symptoms. C-support is specifically designed for this group of people. If you have had symptoms for less than three months, you can still consult our advice for dealing with corona. Most people recover within three months. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, dietetics, and speech therapy can be helpful after a COVID-19 infection.

No, you do not pay any costs for the assistance you receive from C-support. If your aftercare advisor recommends occupational therapy, physiotherapy, or other treatments, always contact your health insurer. They can tell you more about the reimbursements you receive for specific care.

No. If you have previously registered with C-support, you can always contact us again if you have a new question. You can do this via your online file in SolvioIf you find that difficult, use this. contact form. for patients. We will contact you as soon as possible.

Yes, certainly, you can contact us again with any new question. A new process will then start. Each process is recorded in your online file in Solvio. You can contact us via Solvio, but you can also use this contact form. for patients. We will contact you as soon as possible.

Should you decide you wish to have your file deleted, you can submit a deletion request by logging into Solvio with your username and password. A message via Conversations or filing a Amendment request is sufficient for this. Your aftercare advisor can support you with this if necessary. If you are unable to log in, the file can only be deleted after we have received a copy of a valid proof of identity. You can submit this by email via info@c-support.nuOn the copy of your proof of identity, you can obscure the strip of numbers at the bottom of the passport, the so-called 'machine readable zone', the passport number, and the citizen service number (BSN). These are details we do not need. You can optionally use the KopieID app for this. Your request will be processed as soon as possible, but certainly within four weeks. You will be contacted by telephone in advance to verify your identity so that we can delete the correct file. When you have the file deleted, this means that you are having the entire contents of your file erased, including both data and, for example, meeting minutes. This is possible NOT ALLOWED be undone.

Solvio works easiest on your laptop or PC. C-support has created the following manuals:

1. Create an account in Solvio
2. Solvio PC or laptop
3. Solvio mobile devices

No, you do not have to pay anything for Solvio.

It is possible that you have forgotten your password or that your Solvio password no longer works after a period of time. Due to security policy, Solvio requests that you create a new password after a period of inactivity of 6 months. In both cases, you can create a new password by taking the following steps:

1. Go to the Solvio login page and click on the link 'I can no longer log in'.
2. Enter your username or email address and click 'Submit'.
3. You will receive an email that will allow you to reset your account.

1. Go to the login page of Solvio.
2. Enter your username and password and click the Login button.
3. You will receive a verification code via email or a special app. This is a personal code that provides additional security to your account.
4. Enter the verification code and click the Verify button.

First read the manual 'creating an account in Solvio' on this page on our website. Check out the frequently asked questions on the Solvio website or the answer to your question is listed here. If you cannot find the answer, please contact the Solvio helpdesk: 050 210 02 55. The helpdesk is available from Monday to Friday from 08.00:18.00 to XNUMX:XNUMX. Solvio staff cannot assist you with substantive questions; they do not have access to your file. In that case, please contact the C-support secretariat at 0734400440. The secretariat is available Monday through Thursday. from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM and on Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Contact your aftercare advisor to send a new link. Do you no longer have the telephone number of your aftercare advisor? Then call (during working days) the secretariat at Phone: 073 4400 440 , they will connect you.

As a participant in the Multi-year Long COVID study, you will receive a copy one year after completing the 2^e questionnaire an invitation for the new questionnaire. If you participated in March last year, it will take more than a year. The first invitations for the questionnaire will be sent out at the end of April.

After completing the questionnaire, it will take several weeks before the personal overview is in Solvio. At the moment, we are renewing the personal overview. When it is ready and in Solvio, you will receive a message about this.

Yes, you will receive an invitation for the questionnaire for the personal overview in the course of 2024. First, the current participants of the Multi-year Long COVID study will receive an invitation, then other people who are registered with C-support will follow.

Yes, you can give permission for your data to be used only for personal overview, optimizing our services and knowledge sharing with (healthcare) professionals.

Yes, you can stop your participation and withdraw your consent at any time. In this case, please send an email to: research@c-support.nu. Indicate in the email that you are withdrawing your consent. You do not need to explain why you are stopping. The data that has been used cannot be retrieved or destroyed. This data will remain anonymously available to the person conducting the research.

The questionnaire data will be used for:

• compiling your personal overview;
• compiling average personal overviews and summaries for interested parties;
• optimizing C-support services and sharing knowledge;
• conducting scientific research in collaboration with other parties. For this we ask you for permission separately.

That is not yet known at this time. We will store the data for future scientific research in collaboration with other parties such as universities and hospitals. This will involve research into the nature and course of post-COVID or other post-infectious conditions:

• research that may lead to better diagnosis of post-COVID or other post-infectious conditions;
• research that can better predict the course of post-COVID or other post-infectious conditions;
• research that can contribute to the development of new treatments.

No, data will be transferred anonymously; your name, address and contact details will not be shared. Sharing your anonymous data will only happen after you have given permission for this.

• You can do the questionnaire in parts. Save the results after a few questions and continue at a later time. You can return to the questionnaire with the link from the invitation. Continue where you left off.
• Ask someone to read the questions out loud and fill in your answers for you.

Yes, that is possible. However, we advise you to use a laptop or PC. Preferably use Google Chrome.

There is at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport no more funding available for aftercare after 2026. That means that we this service cannot continue after 2026. 

We will carefully work out exactly what this means over the coming weeks. We We will inform you when more is known about this.

There is a subsidy for a knowledge center from 2027 included in the Spring Memorandum by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. We will shape the structure of this knowledge center together with stakeholders. We will also inform you about these developments as soon as more information is available. 

The phasing out of aftercare takes place not from the one the other day. INwe realize that our aftercare for many patients of great meaning is. Precisely for that reason we find we the It is important to carry out this phase-out as carefully as possible and to inform you about this. correct and to inform in a timely manner. Over the coming weeks, we will further elaborate on exactly what these changes mean.More information regarding this will be available at the end of May. At this moment, you can still contact us with your questions as usual.  

As soon as there is more clarity, we will inform you via this website. We understand that uncertainty can be difficult and are doing our best to assist you as well and quickly possibly to keep informed.

There we have still no view of. We are doing our best to map this out and inform you about it later this year. 

We understand that this is a very important question for you. At this moment, nothing is changing yet. You can still contact us with your questions as usual. We expect to be able to provide more information at the end of May regarding how the phasing out of services will proceed. 

Yes, that is possible. You can still make use of our services. More information regarding the details of the phase-out and the timeframe involved will be available at the end of May. 

The decision-making process took place in a short time, and not all consequences are clear yet. We consider it important to share only information that we know for sure. That means that we many Unable to answer questions yet. 

Over the coming weeks, we will further elaborate on exactly what these changes mean. At this moment, nothing is changing yet.  

Your data is stored by C-support based on your consent. In principle, files are retained for ten years following the completion of the aftercare process. This is in line with applicable laws and regulations. You can read more information about this in the privacy statement: https://www.c-support.nu/privacy-policyWe are currently assessing all actions required for the careful completion of our aftercare later this year. This includes paying attention to the careful handling and closure of patient files. Once there is more clarity on this, all patients will be informed personally.

Should you decide you wish to have your file deleted, you can submit a deletion request by logging into Solvio with your username and password. A message via Conversations or filing a Amendment request is sufficient for this. Your aftercare advisor can support you with this if necessary. If you are unable to log in, the file can only be deleted after we have received a copy of a valid proof of identity. You can submit this by email via info@c-support.nuOn the copy of your proof of identity, you can obscure the strip of numbers at the bottom of the passport, the so-called 'machine readable zone', the passport number, and the citizen service number (BSN). These are details we do not need. You can optionally use the KopieID app for this. Your request will be processed as soon as possible, but certainly within four weeks. You will be contacted by telephone in advance to verify your identity so that we can delete the correct file. When you have the file deleted, this means that you are having the entire contents of your file erased, including both data and, for example, meeting minutes. This is possible NOT ALLOWED be undone.