Is everyone flat? That’s how sick Switzerland really is right now

It feels like everyone has been sick at some point this fall. Cough, cold, flu or even Corona – only a few seem to have been spared so far. But is that really true or is it just a feeling, as mentioned in the beginning?

According to the Federal Office for Public Health (BAG), the increase in the number of consultations due to flu-like illnesses this season is comparable to the development of the past three years. However, these are still above the expected value before the pandemic.

Last week, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recorded eleven consultations due to flu-like symptoms per 1,000 doctor consultations. That is approximately 64 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants. Compared to the previous week, flu-like illnesses have increased slightly. At that time there were 48 consultations for flu-like illnesses per 100,000 inhabitants.

However, from an epidemiological perspective we cannot yet speak of a wave of disease. This requires 68 infections per 100,000 inhabitants with a flu-like illness. We’re not far from there. However, the statistics do not provide exact figures on how many people are actually ill. Especially because not all sick people go to the doctor.

But what actually counts as a “flu-like illness”? Usually sudden high fever (above 38°C) and coughing, headache, body ache or sore throat. The highest incidence in the previous week was in the age group 0 to 4 years, closely followed by 15 to 29 year olds.

On the one hand, the low temperatures influence the risk of contamination with a respiratory infection. On the other hand, people spend more time indoors in the fall. Physical proximity to others makes it easier for infectious droplets to spread.

The coronavirus will probably also be a reason for the increasing number of doctor consultations. A look at the federal government’s Covid dashboard shows that both the number of cases and hospitalizations have risen slightly again in recent days. At a significantly lower level than in previous years.

According to Swiss top doctor Rudolf Hauri, corona numbers will probably continue to rise in the coming weeks. “It is the beginning of a small wave,” he said in an interview with “Blick” on Wednesday. It is not yet possible to say whether this will develop into a larger wave. However, there are no signs that the healthcare system is becoming overloaded: “We currently have the situation under control.”

However, he recommends that anyone who wants to protect themselves and others wear a mask indoors and at gatherings of people, Hauri said. After all, the face mask is not only worthwhile because of Corona, but also because of flu and colds.