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However, for fifth graders and adults, they should be kept away from the educational institution if symptoms of an “acute respiratory infection with or without fever” occur (and this infection is from cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing or sudden loss of taste / sense of smell). Regardless of age, children who feel subjectively ill or have symptoms “that prevent them from following the lessons correctly” should stay home. The Ministry of Health also referred to another document published jointly with the Austrian Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (ÖGKJ): That (only) “greater than or equal to 38 degrees in children is considered fever” also says the ÖGKJ seen in this way said from the department.
The microbiologist is essential
The guide sparked a debate on social media and criticism from experts. Microbiologist Michael Wagner of the University of Vienna says there is “no magic age limit” above which those affected play no role in the infection process, Wagner told the APA. “And there is no magic symptom limit either. No one can tell by symptoms whether a child is infected or not.” The pure focus on respiratory infections is not necessarily effective either, because with Covid-19 children also have gastrointestinal symptoms.
His criticism is on the issue of the spread of the pandemic, not on the individual well-being of the child, Wagner emphasized: “As a rule, there is no danger for children”, since hardly or mostly they would only develop mildly ill. “But children bring the virus home.” And Wagner also points out that “double infections” could occur: If children get sick with trivial infections and are also carriers of the corona virus, the risk of spreading the corona virus increases due to cold symptoms (such as coughs).
Medical Association advises “de-demonization”
Wagner assesses a recommendation for “Management of ordinations regarding COVID 19”, which can be accessed on the website of the Upper Austrian Medical Association until noon Monday, as “catastrophic”. It said, among other things: “Children under the age of 10 generally are NOT tested” and “Adolescents and adults generally do not get tested (…), unless the treating physician decides (…) get tested. ” Furthermore, it is not necessary to detect all cases of corona: “95% of infections are asymptomatic or, at most, like flu infections, occasionally associated with fever.” And: “The SARS-CoV-2 must be increasingly de-demonized (also in the media)”, was the recommendation.
In response to a request from the APA, the Upper Austrian Medical Association said on Monday that the text was no longer up to date and that the requirements of the Federal Curia for resident doctors apply. Later, on Monday afternoon, the text was disconnected and replaced by that of the Federal Curia. Wagner said the recommendation had been available for weeks. He identified a “political narrative” by not testing children under the age of ten and then declaring that children are less likely to be infected.
