Post COVID-19 among young adults– prevalence and associations with general health, stress, and lifestyle factors

Background The prevalence of post COVID-19 condition (PCC) after mild infection among young adults is largely unknown, as are its impact on health and lifestyle factors. Objective To assess the prevalence of PCC among young adults and its impact on general health, stress, and changes in lifestyle factors three years after the onset of the pandemic. Methods The study population (n = 2,098) included participants from the population-based cohort BAMSE (aged 27–30 years). PCC symptoms and changes in lifestyle factors during the pandemic were assessed in a questionnaire distributed in September–December 2023 and analyzed cross-sectionally. Stress, physical activity, and general health were also assessed pre-pandemic (2016–2019) and analyzed longitudinally. PCC was defined as ≥ 1 symptom lasting for ≥ 2 months after COVID-19. Results In total, 1,577 (75.5%) reported previous COVID-19. Among these, 166 (10.5%) reported previous and 62 (3.9%) ongoing PCC. The most common ongoing symptoms were altered smell/taste, psychological symptoms, and fatigue. Both pre- and post-pandemic general health differed significantly in relation to PCC in cross-sectional analyzes (all p