For a research study in Nijmegen, we are looking for people who have had Lyme disease, sepsis, or Q fever. We are seeking both individuals who have fully recovered and those who continue to experience long-term symptoms following these infections. For Q fever, we are specifically looking for people with persistent symptoms after Q fever, but not people with chronic Q fever.
In this short recruitment video, we invite these individuals to take part in the study.
These participants are particularly important for the research. Long-term symptoms following different infections can be remarkably similar. Many people with ME/CFS will recognise this: symptoms may develop or worsen after an infection and often affect multiple systems in the body. Examples include severe fatigue, post-exertional symptoms, pain, cognitive difficulties, and problems involving the nervous system.
By comparing people who have had Lyme disease, sepsis, or Q fever with people with ME/CFS and other post-acute infection syndromes, researchers can better understand which symptoms and biological processes are shared, and where important differences exist.