90,000 on sick leave

Flu epidemic still has Austria firmly in its grip

90,000 people in Austria are currently on sick leave due to a flu-like infection or genuine flu (symbolic image).

(Bild: APA/dpa/Andreas Gebert)

Almost 90,000 people across Austria are currently on sick leave due to a flu-like infection or genuine flu. This means that the flu epidemic still has the country firmly in its grip.

According to the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), most people are recovering well, but 160 patients have already had to be treated in hospital this season. Flu and flu-like infections often start very similarly, but differ mainly in the duration and severity of the course of the illness. The first symptoms are a feeling of coldness or general malaise, followed by fever, aching limbs and throat, a sore throat, a runny nose and a cough. Headaches and circulatory problems are also possible.

Duration of the illness varies
In the case of a flu-like infection, the symptoms last up to seven days, while it can take several weeks to fully recover from a real flu. With Covid-19, on the other hand, the clinical picture is highly variable; in mild cases, the symptoms can subside after just one or two days. Cold symptoms such as hoarseness and coughing can also occur at the beginning, while severe cases can also be accompanied by shortness of breath, a severe feeling of weakness and abdominal pain.

ÖGK chief physician Andreas Krauter

(Bild: krone.tv)

ÖGK: "Vaccine is very effective"
According to ÖGK, bed rest, rest, antipyretics and painkillers can help in all cases. Andreas Krauter, head physician at ÖGK, recommends the flu vaccine above all for people aged 60 and over, the chronically ill, pregnant women and children. "The vaccine is very effective this season, as most of the circulating viruses (...) correspond to the virus strains contained in the influenza vaccine." According to ÖGK, every tenth person in Austria has been vaccinated against influenza this season. The cost contribution is seven euros.

Krauter also advises people to wash and disinfect their hands regularly and to wear a mask when socializing to prevent infection and the spread of the virus.