Viral infections can cause not only short-term symptoms but also long-term health impairments that can persist for weeks or months after the acute symptoms have subsided. Particular attention is paid to the so-called Post-Acute Infection Syndrome (PAIS), which can occur after a viral infection.

In the context of the EpiPAIS project, we are specifically dealing with the epidemiological investigation of these long-term consequences. Our goal is to understand how viral infections affect our health in the long term.

An important foundation for our research is the NAKO Gesundheitsstudie. This longitudinal cohort study provides us with the opportunity to investigate the frequency of Long COVID and extend our findings to other viral pathogens. The analysis of data from this study enables us to better understand the frequency of long-term health problems after viral infections and their causes.

Our main objective is to identify risk factors and epigenetic patterns associated with the development of PAIS. Epigenetic changes play a crucial role, so we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the connections through this project. In the long term, preventive measures and therapies could be developed to improve the health and quality of life of those affected.