Long COVID (post-COVID-19 syndrome) not only affects adults, but also children and adolescents and poses major challenges for their life school. In order to guarantee the right for education and avoid major gaps in their education for those affected, everyone involved must work together.
On behalf of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), an interdisciplinary group of experts has produced an information sheet that provides support for school administrators and teachers.
Symptoms of Long COVID in children
The symptoms in children and adolescents are varied and can significantly impair everyday life. The most common complaints include
- Exhaustion and fatigue: extreme tiredness and limited resilience
- Cognitive impairments: Concentration problems, limited memory
- Palpitations and dizziness: often associated with exercise intolerance
- Pain: Frequent headaches, neck, joint and muscle pain
- Gastrointestinal complaints: Chronic abdominal pain, nausea, constipation
- Sensory sensitivity: hypersensitivity to light, sound and touch
In people with post-exertional malaise (PEM), these symptoms can worsen after even light physical or mental activity. Affected children often have difficulty performing everyday tasks such as carrying a heavy backpack. In severe cases, the symptoms can resemble those of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Long COVID and everyday school life
Attending school is a particular challenge for affected children and adolescents. They experience a high level of stress, which can affect their school performance, their social life and their health. Some children have difficulty concentrating in class or suffer a crash after unusual efforts such as exams.
This places enormous demands on teachers and school professionals, as they have to be open and flexible in order to respond to the individual needs of pupils.
It is important that children and young people can complete their school activities at a pace that is appropriate for them. It can help to structure their day in a way that cognitive, physical and social stress is evenly distributed, and overload is avoided.
How can schools support affected children?
A strong network of school and medical professionals and parents/guardians is crucial to develop a tailor-made solution that focuses on the pupil's needs.
Regular exchanges between all involved parties, including specialists, can help to take appropriate measures and avoid misunderstandings.
Concrete support measures for everyday school life
Children and adolescents with Long COVID often do not want to separate themselves from their classmates but want to participate in regular school life as far as their health allows.
The challenge for teachers is to create an inclusive school day that takes into account the individual needs of these pupils without stigmatizing them.
The aim is to create an environment that allows those affected to devote their energy to essential school and social tasks without compromising their health.
The goal: inclusion and thoughtfulness
Long COVID in children is a complex disease that requires a great deal of understanding and adaptation. The Federal Office of Public Health recommends that schools adapt their structures and procedures accordingly to do justice to the pupils affected and pave the way for long-term success at school.
It is important that teachers, school management, parents/guardians, and classmates all work closely together and support the necessary measures.
You can find more information in the FOPH's information sheet.
