Background:
COVID-19 is a novel disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Severity of infection in the acute phase ranges from asymptomatic to critically ill and fatal courses of the disease. Besides the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), also thromboembolic events and acute damages of other organs are contributing to severe and critical courses of the disease in the acute phase of the infection.
It is, however, largely unknown whether and to what extent different organs are affected in individuals with milder courses of the disease.
Hypotheses:
1. Across all severity stages in the acute phase, SARS-CoV-2 infection causes longterm damages in various organ systems in a significant proportion of patients.
2. Beyond the damages directly caused by the infection, also the behavioral changes implemented to reduce the spread of the virus might impact an individual's health status and quality of life.
3. The infection itself and the pandemic in general results in increased use of health care resources.
Methods:
SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals in defined geographic regions will be contacted through the responsible health authorities and will be informed about the study and invited to participate. These individuals will presumably represent all severity grades in the initial phase of the infection (asymptomatic, uncomplicated, complicated, critical course of disease) and each of them will be offered a detailed clinical examination program that Includes structural and functional assessment of various organ systems (lungs, cardiovascular, CNS including smell/tase, liver), a comprehensive medical history, as well as psychological and psychiatric assessments.
