A recent study published in Infection highlights a significant decrease in the prevalence and burden of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), commonly referred to as Long COVID, among healthcare workers. Conducted by Dr. Tamara Dörr and colleagues from the Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen in Switzerland, the research offers valuable insights into the course of PASC over a 30-month period.

The study analyzed survey responses from 1,704 healthcare workers, revealing that as of October 2023, 30.7 percent of respondents reported experiencing at least one PASC symptom. Of these, 6.7 percent indicated they had PASC either currently or in the past. The findings also showed that symptoms were most prevalent following infection with the Wild-type variant of the virus compared to other variants.

The impact of PASC on daily life was notable, with 15 percent of respondents reporting severe or relevant restrictions in their activities. Despite this, nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of those affected had tried at least one therapeutic measure to manage their symptoms, with 81 percent reporting some level of benefit.

“Our data show a steady and continuing decrease of PASC prevalence and burden in a healthcare worker population of predominantly female and previously healthy individuals over the course of 30 months,” the authors noted. They also highlighted the variability in the choice and effectiveness of therapeutic measures, while emphasizing the high recovery rate over time.

The study underscores the time-dependent nature of recovery from PASC and offers hope for those affected by Long COVID, particularly in high-risk professions such as healthcare. With the steady decline in symptoms and increasing recovery rates, the research provides a clearer picture of the long-term trajectory of COVID-19’s lingering effects.