Long COVID / PAIS (“Post-Acute Infectious Syndrome”)
Long COVID refers to persistent or newly occurring symptoms weeks to months after an infection with COVID-19. Even after the acute phase has passed, many people continue to experience symptoms such as profound fatigue or “brain fog” – and this is precisely why taking action now is worthwhile.
Population-based studies largely report prevalences of Long COVID between 5% and 10% among individuals with a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, considering symptoms persisting for at least three months.
Source: Robert Koch Institute
Are you
also affected?
Long COVID has many faces. Common symptoms include:
persistent physical exhaustion (fatigue)
impaired concentration and memory (“brain fog”)
exertional dyspnea or breathing difficulties
palpitations, circulatory problems, dizziness
headaches, muscle pain, or nerve pain
sleep disturbances, inner restlessness, or depressive symptoms
temperature regulation disorders
reduced stress tolerance
Symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe – and they often occur independently of the severity of the original infection.
I am Dr.
Katja Aschenbrenner, M.D.
I am a physician specializing in complex chronic illnesses and post-infectious syndromes.
Many of my patients come to me after a long search – exhausted, uncertain, and often not taken seriously. My goal is to provide a safe point of contact: medically competent, compassionate, and free of any downplaying of this condition.
This is how
we work with you
1. Early identification and classification
- comprehensive medical history
- evaluation of possible risk factors and triggers
- assessment of immunological and metabolic stressors
2. System stabilization
- targeted nutritional and metabolic recommendations
- support of mitochondrial function
- optimization of sleep and stress regulation
- gentle movement concepts (no overexertion)
3. Support for existing Long COVID symptoms
- individualized, stepwise load and pacing management
- naturopathic and plant-based options, supplements, medications
- evaluation of possible co-factors (e.g. EBV reactivation)
- treatment of associated conditions such as POTS or MCAS
4. Prevention
“What truly concerns me are the serious long-term medical consequences of COVID-19. That is why prevention is so important to me.”
Dr. Katja Aschenbrenner. M.D.
Our treatment concept
for Long COVID
At our practice, we follow a cause-oriented, multimodal therapeutic approach. This is what your journey with us looks like – step by step.
Step 1: Comprehensive specialized diagnostics
Before treatment begins, we need to understand exactly what is happening in your body. Standard laboratory tests are often insufficient. We take a deeper look:
- Comprehensive medical history: We take time to understand your illness history and current symptoms.
- Specialized laboratory testing: We assess specific inflammatory markers, autoantibodies, viral reactivations (e.g. EBV), and other relevant parameters.
- Mitochondrial assessment: We evaluate the performance of your cellular “power plants.”
- Exclusion of other possible causes: To ensure diagnostic clarity.
Step 2: Development of your individualized treatment plan
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to Long COVID. Based on your symptoms and laboratory results, we create a treatment plan tailored precisely to where your body needs support. Our goals: to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, prevent deterioration, and restore energy.
Step 3: Monitoring and stabilization
Recovery is a process. After the intensive first phase, we continue to support you.
- Follow-up assessments: Regular laboratory checks to monitor progress and optimize therapy.
- Lifestyle & micronutrients: Guidance on supplements and lifestyle adjustments to stabilize improvements.
- Medications (if necessary)
Addressing Common Concerns & Beliefs
“I only had a mild acute infection – can I still develop Long COVID?” Yes. Data clearly show that Long COVID can occur regardless of the severity of the initial infection. “Is there a guaranteed treatment?” No – Long COVID is highly individual. However, many symptoms are improvable. Our approach helps systematically reduce stressors and rebuild function.
Who Is This Treatment
Suitable For?
This treatment may be especially suitable for
- people with persistent symptoms after COVID-19
- individuals with unexplained fatigue following infections
- people with risk factors (e.g. metabolic strain, EBV history)
- anyone who wants to prevent Long COVID proactively
This treatment is not particularly suitable for:
- patients expecting a purely conventional “standard therapy”
- individuals expecting rapid or immediate recovery
- patients unwilling to make lifestyle changes
- patients without readiness to actively participate
What exactly is Long COVID?
Long COVID refers to symptoms that persist or newly appear more than 4–12 weeks after a COVID-19 infection. Symptoms may be physical, cognitive, or emotional – often fluctuating in intensity.
How is Long COVID diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on:
- medical history
- temporal relationship to the infection
- exclusion of other causes
- laboratory diagnostics
How long does it take to see improvement?
This varies individually. Many patients report initial improvements within weeks when nutrition, sleep, pacing, and stress regulation are optimized. Others require more time and a structured stepwise approach. Important: Avoid overexertion and “pushing through” – this often worsens symptoms.
Can Long COVID be fully resolved?
Many people experience significant improvement or full remission.
Key factors include:
- reduction of inflammation
- regulation of stress and sleep
- gradual rebuilding of resilience
- treatment of individual co-factors
There is no guarantee – but many effective therapeutic entry points that we can address together.
Is Long COVID psychologically caused?
No. Long COVID is a physical, medical syndrome with immunological, metabolic, and neurological mechanisms. Psychological stress may accompany or intensify symptoms, but it is not the cause. That is why our approach is integrative: medically grounded, functional, and psychosomatically supportive when appropriate.