published14. September 2022, 04:47
Untrained immune systemThat’s why people cough on the bus, train and office like in the dead of winter
A striking number of people are currently showing cold and flu symptoms. According to experts, various viruses and our weakened immune system are to blame.
According to the virologist Andreas Cerny, various respiratory viruses are currently circulating that trigger flu-like symptoms but are not “classic” influenza: the result is coughing, a sore throat and fever.
20min/Matthias Spicher
Our immune system has now been weakened by two years of corona protection measures. According to Thomas Rosemann, professor and director of the Institute for Family Medicine at the University of Zurich, you need to constantly deal with your environment in order to stay fit.
20min/Anna Bila
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Many coughing people make themselves felt in public transport and in the offices.
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A number of respiratory viruses can be responsible for the many sick people.
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Experts emphasize that the immune system is untrained after two years of the pandemic, making it easier to get infected.
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The situation in the pharmacies is currently calm – but they are preparing for the flu season in autumn.
The noise, which was feared for two years and sometimes even painfully suppressed, is back: people are coughing again on public transport and at work – and for late summer it is noticeably high. The German Robert Koch Institute reported for the around 3.5 million new cases in Germany in the first week of September, despite summer temperatures. According to information from the Geneva University Hospital, there are currently only a few cases of flu in Switzerland – but these numbers are not recorded at all over the summer months.
The corona test shows negative, but instead of recovering in bed at home, many sit on the train and in the offices and may infect other people. Why is it that so many friends, family members and work colleagues are currently lying flat?
Our immune system lacks training
“In the summer, other respiratory viruses that can trigger flu-like symptoms such as rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, corona viruses and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also circulate, for which no special tests are carried out,” says virologist Andreas Cerny. These viruses trigger flu-like symptoms, but are not “classic” influenza: cough, sore throat and fever are the result. In the last two years, Switzerland has not only protected itself against Corona, but also avoided all other viruses at the same time, according to the infectiologist. “Our immune system is less stimulated as a result and we are probably more susceptible to these viruses.”
Thomas Rosemann, Professor and Director of the Institute for Family Medicine at the University of Zurich, also confirms this: “It’s like an astronaut who loses a large part of his muscular strength after two years of weightlessness because he doesn’t train his muscles.” Our immune system needs constant interaction with the environment in order to stay fit.
“Playing hero and going to work is nonsensical”
It is therefore to be expected that it will be easier to get infected and that more people will be infected at the same time. “Under certain circumstances, the infection is a bit more severe,” says Rosemann. The fact that coughing people have been so conspicuous lately probably has something to do with the fact that we are no longer used to meeting them.
“To drag yourself to work by public transport sniffling for two days to play hero or heroine and potentially infect many others in the process, only to then stay at home from day three is equally nonsensical from a medical, epidemiological and economic point of view,” explains Rosemann. It’s better to stay at home if you don’t feel well – even at the first scratch in your throat. This way you get on your feet faster and don’t infect those around you.
Wave of disease expected for autumn
The first Swiss pharmacies are already getting ready for autumn: “We are currently feeling the calm before the storm. We expect a strong wave of flu in the coming months – and Corona will probably become a big issue again,” says Natalia Blarer, Managing Director of Toppharm-Apotheke Europaallee.
She advocates getting tested if you have cold or flu symptoms and wearing a mask in public to protect your fellow human beings. “You never know who could be a risk patient,” says Blarer.
Flu vaccination will be central this year
Because our immune system is untrained after two years of protective measures, the flu vaccination will be decisive this year, according to experts. “The campaign for the flu vaccination will be of great importance in the fall,” says infectiologist Cerny. Rosemann also adds: “An influenza vaccination for all risk groups is all the more important this year.” The Federal Office of Public Health has one for November 25th national flu vaccination day intended.