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The corona pandemic wears people out. Closing in the winter months is difficult and many are reaching their limits. But the Covid Blues also offers a ray of hope: the decline of various infectious diseases. Since people began distancing themselves from each other and wearing face masks, various illnesses have been on the decline. Including: flu, whooping cough, norovirus, and venereal diseases.
As the federal government writes in the seasonal flu situation report, which is generally widespread in the winter months, Covid-19 has a “significant impact on seasonal flu.” The reliability of the data is limited due to the corona pandemic, but the flu is largely absent this season. Influenza viruses are not found throughout the country.
An influenza epidemic has also been slow to arrive internationally. During the influenza season in the Southern Hemisphere, despite constant and even increased testing, only a few influenza pathogens were detected. A connection to Corona is obvious.
Powerful Covid Protection Measures
As a result of Covid protection measures, diseases have a harder time spreading. Flu season is traditionally January and February. Blockages and strict hygiene rules make life difficult for viruses and bacteria, and cases around the world are falling dramatically this year.
Pertussis cases are also declining. There is a vaccine against it, but the respiratory disease also repeatedly affects adults. In the last Corona 2020 year, Germany reported significantly fewer cases than in 2019 and 2018, as reported by “Bild”. Consequently, noro and rotaviruses, which are transmitted through hand contact with contaminated surfaces and cause serious gastrointestinal infections, are also declining dramatically.
Also fewer sexually transmitted diseases
As a result of the collapse in travel activity, almost no more cases of malaria are brought in from the tropics, while contact restrictions due to confinement also add to syphilis, a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease, as well as chlamydia and gonorrhea, better known as “gonorrhea”. . In 2020, Swiss doctors reported significantly fewer syphilis and HIV infections.
As with the decline in flu numbers, the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) notes that the pandemic also affects data collection. It is possible that the illnesses have not remitted, but that those affected go to the doctor less often. (kes)
