Since the outbreak of the 2020 pandemic, we have known almost in real time how many Carinthians are currently infected with the corona virus. But how did influenza and influenza infections develop in Carinthia during this period, what about sick leave? A look at the sick leave statistics of the Austrian regional health insurance fund (ÖGK) for the years 2019 to 2022 (calendar week 38) shows astonishing things.
12,132 Carinthians were on sick leave this year from September 19 to 25, an increase of almost five percent compared to the previous year (11,575), 29 percent compared to 2020 (9095) and 17 percent more than before Corona in 2019 (10.304). Influenza diseases in particular increased significantly this year, so 2403 Carinthians had to stay in bed. That is 76 percent more than in 2019 (1326) and even 122 percent more than in 2020 (730). Compared to the previous year (1829), almost a third more fell ill.
Noticeable increase for two weeks
General practitioners in Carinthia also see this development, says Medical Association President Markus Werner Opriessnig: “For about two weeks, the number of patients with resident doctors in Carinthia has increased massively.” The President of the Chamber of Pharmacists, Hans Bachitsch, can also confirm that many Carinthians are currently in need of medication for a flu-like viral disease: “We noticed a noticeable increase in viral diseases in the summer. A lot of customers with headaches and sore throats and negative corona tests came to us. Now the flu infections have really picked up speed again. Earlier than in previous years.”
The reasons for this are diverse. “On the one hand, this week marks the end of the holiday season and the beginning of school, which means that illnesses increase every year. This year there was also the cold snap, which has shifted social contacts indoors even more and earlier than usual”, says Bachitsch. In fact, the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (Zamg) can substantiate this factor for the earlier rise in influenza infections. “In September 2019 we had average temperatures of 15.5 degrees, this year they fell by more than 4 degrees and were 11.2,” says meteorologist Paul Rainer. The temperatures of the pandemic years 2020 and 2021 were at the level of 2019. “Of course, this wet and cold weather of the last few weeks is a particular infection driver,” says Opriessnig.
It will still rise
However, it is expected that the flu infections, as usual, will not really pick up speed until October. “In addition to the weather, the fact that we are not wearing a mask is particularly noticeable this year. In contrast to Corona, flu-like effects are not primarily spread via the air we breathe and aerosols, but rather through droplet infections. Without a mask, regular disinfection and with close contact, we all expected that in addition to Corona, other viral diseases will also be on the rise again,” says Bachitsch.
Outside temperatures and hygiene measures are responsible for when and how severe the autumn wave of diseases starts. This year, both are playing into the hands of the flu and the corona numbers are picking up speed again. However, Bachitsch does not believe that our immune system has been weakened by “social distancing”, masks and disinfection in the last two years and that there are therefore more flu infections: “Our immune system has a very good memory, in two years it will not forget to fight to defend against influenza viruses.”
Corona dark figure?
For Medical Association President Opriessnig, there is another factor for the increase in “flu infections” and sick leave: “We now have a very high number of unreported cases of Corona. Many infections remain undetected despite conscientious testing, so patients with a flu infection are then given sick leave.” For this winter, the doctor expects a lot of sick leave: “The milder Omikron variants will hardly make themselves felt in hospital occupancy, but they will rise sharply and the economy will feel it. There will be a shortage of employees everywhere, including in of medical care.”