Rehabilitation nach COVID-19-Erkrankung

6 months following an acute infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus with a moderate or severe course of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a majority of patients is still suffering from sequelae which are defined as „post COVID syndrome“ or „long COVID“. Symptoms are heterogenous and can be of respiratory, neurological, musculoskeltal, cardiovascular, mental or cognitive nature. As the virus entrance into the organism via the lungs, this organ is involved in a unique manner. As a consequence of COVID-19, abnormalities of the lungs may lead to impaired gas exchange and result in a reduced blood oxygenation, especially during exercise. In order to address the intensity and diversity of symptoms, an inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program is recommended. Beside diagnostics and pharmaceutical optimization, the multimodal approach includes several therapeutic components like exercise training, breathing therapy and psychological counseling. According to constantly new insights into this field, therapies have to be adapted permanently. An optimal postacute care, which ideally already starts during hospital stay, targets the improvement of exercise capacity, health-related quality of life as well as a reduction of ongoing symptoms in order to optimize patients daily life self-sufficiency.