Health institute RIVM has set up a national portal for people with Long Covid who want to take part in research into their condition.

The portal, which opened on Friday, was financed from the €32 million earmarked last year for research into the causes and treatment of Long Covid and is part of the Post-COVID Network Nederland. Children and adults who have developed problems following a vaccination can also apply.

Some 1.3 million people who had Covid still suffered the consequences three months later, particularly lack of energy, shortness of breath, muscle pain and loss of smell and taste.

Around half were cured but some 450,000 people are still experiencing some problems while around 100,000 people have been left unable to work or function socially.

Many in this group suffer from post-exertional malaise PEM, which means that physical activity not only tires them out, but worsens their condition and affects brain function.

The research will help scientists understand why Long Covid affects some and not others and how the 200 symptoms that have been recorded so far, affect each patient.

A data bank of patients’ biological samples will also be linked to the portal. Other data, from statistics agency CBS and family doctors and hospital may also be added to the portal, depending on the patients’ permission.

Project leader Anske van der Bom, said the portal is just the first step in a long process. “You won’t get better by registering at the portal. You will be contributing to research which, in the long term, can help find treatments for Long Covid,” she told broadcaster NOS.