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Coronavirus and flu: this is how the viral diseases differ

Virus flu and coronavirus infection are similar. An expert reveals which infectious disease is dangerous and who is at risk.

  • Infection with coronaviruses can be fatal – just like virus flu.
  • Certain groups of people are particularly at risk in both cases.
  • The virus flu kills countless people every year – far more than a coronavirus infection?

After the first confirmed coronavirus cases in Bavaria *, Federal Health Minister Spahn declared in the Tagesschau that one was well prepared. He would make the reporting chains even closer and impose additional reporting requirements on airlines and clinics, Spahn said in an interview. However, 48 confirmed coronavirus infections meanwhile force the federal government to act and set up a crisis team. Health Minister Spahn speaks of “the start of a corona epidemic in Germany“. He expects the virus to spread much more widely, as reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

However, many citizens are concerned about new cases of SARS-like lung disease, which is caused by new types of coronavirus *. To date, 83,392 coronavirus infections and 2,858 deaths have been reported worldwide in 2020 (as of February 28, 2020), For comparison: According to the World Health Organization, there are three to five million severe cases of flu worldwide each year. Of these, up to 650,000 people die from the viral disease.

Coronavirus infections in Germany: “There is currently no cause for serious concern”

In the Tagesschau on January 28, 2020, virologist Professor Hans-Georg Kräusslich from Heidelberg University explained how dangerous the coronavirus should be: “I think the excitement about the coronavirus comes from the fact that it is a new pathogen and, as always, with new pathogens are not yet sure what to do next. There is no evidence that there is a higher pathogenicity (Note d. Editor: Ability to cause pathological changes in the organism) has than the normal flu virus (…) “. However, one does not know exactly how coronavirus infections develop.” There is currently no cause for great concern, “Krausslich said.

Video: flu or corona virus – which is worse?

Most of the coronavirus deaths have occurred in China. So far, infection has mainly led to death in people with severe previous illnesses, The risk groups include:

  • People with heart disease
  • cancer patients
  • older people
  • immunocompromised people (e.g. due to autoimmune diseases)

also read: Does a mask protect against coronavirus infection? Who should wear a face mask,

No coronavirus drug found so far

The situation is similar with the virus flu, Here, too, young, healthy people are far less at risk than older people with previous illnesses or immunodeficiency, says Krausslich.

As with a flu infection *, there has so far been no drug that works against the virus when it is infected with coronaviruses. However, symptoms such as respiratory infections or difficulty coughing up can be treated. Treatment is symptomatic of both diseases, “You wait until the body’s immune system can cope with the respective pathogen,” says virologist Krausslich.

Survey on the subject

more on the subject: First coronavirus patient in isolation in Munich.

Continue reading: Coronavirus: what are the symptoms? Lung disease is spreading.

Frankfurt: The tourism industry in Frankfurt clearly feels the effects of the corona virus *. Hotels and trade fairs in particular are affected by the decreasing tourism from China. However, there is no need to worry.

Wiesbaden: The state of Hesse sees itself well prepared for possible coronavirus cases *, said Social Minister Kai Klose.

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These viruses and bacteria make us sick

HIV virus: The virus triggers the immunodeficiency AIDS. Around 20 years after its discovery, AIDS is the most devastating infectious disease that has challenged humanity since the plague in the 14th century. © dpa / dpaweb mm
Plague pathogen Yersinia pestis: The infectious disease was first detected in the Mediterranean in the 6th century. The bacterium was discovered in 1894. Nowadays, with early diagnosis, the chances of recovery from antibiotics are high.
Plague pathogen Yersinia pestis: The infectious disease was first detected in the Mediterranean in the 6th century. The bacterium was discovered in 1894. Nowadays, with early diagnosis, the chances of recovery from antibiotics are high. © dpa
Ebola virus: The virus causes fever associated with internal bleeding. The disease is fatal in up to 90 percent of cases. Scientists are working flat out on a vaccine.
Ebola virus: The virus causes fever associated with internal bleeding. The disease is fatal in up to 90 percent of cases. Scientists are working flat out on a vaccine. © dpa
Flu virus: antigens (yellow and blue antennas) sit on a double layer of fat that closes around the genetic material inside. Mixing different types of viruses creates new hereditary substances and thus also antigens.
Flu virus: antigens (yellow and blue antennas) sit on a double layer of fat that closes around the genetic material inside. Mixing different types of viruses creates new hereditary substances and thus also antigens. © dpa / dpaweb
Herpes Virus: Herpes simplex viruses are common worldwide. After an initial infection, the virus remains in a state of rest in the organism for life.
Herpes Virus: Herpes simplex viruses are common worldwide. After an initial infection, the virus remains in a state of rest in the organism for life. © dpa
Rhinovirus Human rhinovirus 16 (HRV16): Rhinitis is spread worldwide by rhinoviruses.
Rhinovirus Human rhinovirus 16 (HRV16): Rhinitis is spread worldwide by rhinoviruses. © picture alliance / Science Photo
Swine flu virus 1976: The classic swine flu is an influenza A virus of the H1N1 subtype, which was first isolated in 1930. The three subtypes H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1 are also important.
Swine flu virus 1976: The classic swine flu is an influenza A virus of the H1N1 subtype, which was first isolated in 1930. The three subtypes H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1 are also important. © dpa
Swine flu virus under a transmission electron microscope: The swine flu broke out in Mexico in 2009. This is a mutated swine flu virus of the H1N1 subtype, which, unlike usual, can also be transmitted from person to person.
Swine flu virus under a transmission electron microscope: The swine flu broke out in Mexico in 2009. This is a mutated swine flu virus of the H1N1 subtype, which, unlike usual, can also be transmitted from person to person. © dpa
Spanish flu virus: The Spanish flu (1918) is considered the worst flu pandemic ever. The Spanish flu is the H1N1 virus strand, which killed young people in particular. Experts estimate the number of victims to be between 40 and 50 million.
Spanish flu virus: The Spanish flu (1918) is considered the worst flu pandemic ever. The Spanish flu is the H1N1 virus strand, which killed young people in particular. Experts estimate the number of victims to be between 40 and 50 million. © dpa
Tuberculosis bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis: The disease, also known as consumption syndrome, although it is now considered curable, is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world.
Tuberculosis bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis: The disease, also known as consumption syndrome, although it is now considered curable, is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. © dpa
Avian Influenza A: Influenza A virus scheme (computer illustration from January 2006). The aggressive avian influenza virus of the H5N1 subtype belongs to the group of influenza A viruses, as do the numerous human flu viruses. The virus is spherical, its diameter is only 0.1 thousandths of a millimeter. Inside there is only room for a few proteins and the genetic material.
Avian Influenza A: Influenza A virus scheme (computer illustration from January 2006). The aggressive avian influenza virus of the H5N1 subtype belongs to the group of influenza A viruses, as do the numerous human flu viruses. The virus is spherical, its diameter is only 0.1 thousandths of a millimeter. Inside there is only room for a few proteins and the genetic material. © dpa

* Merkur.de and fnp.de belong to the Germany-wide Ippen-Digital editors network

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