text:  Is there a post COVID syndrome For critically ill COVID 19 patients surviving the acute phase of the disease could possibly only mean having overcome the first stage of a long and challenging path Physical cognitive and psychological consequences seem to be realistic however do residual symptoms in patients who have returned to microbiological normalization constitute a post COVID syndrome and which symptoms are principally possible in this context and are able to cause such a syndrome It is no novelty that critically ill patients often still sustain functional limitations over a long period after discharge from hospital in many cases even over many years In most cases of COVID 19 it is too early for the diagnosis of a post COVID syndrome For this the symptoms would have to have lasted over a period of at least 6 months therefore only a post infection fatigue can currently be spoken of On top of this even if patients recover physically they could be at particular risk of suffering from long term mental health problems or perceive a reduced quality of life Such findings exist not only after ARDS as many intensive care unit patients sustain long term disorders which is also known as post intensive care syndrome PICS To sum up there is sufficient evidence for the possible existence of a post COVID syndrome or for the justification to correspondingly designate these possible sequelae with persisting symptoms in this way In any case all efforts that enable a complete functional recovery and a return to a life after corona are justified 