Würzburg infectiologist: “Loosening too quickly is dangerous”

Prof. August Stich, Chairman of the Mission Medical Institute and Chief Physician at the Missio Clinic under the umbrella of the Würzburg Mitte Clinic, has been a sought-after expert since the beginning of the corona pandemic. The infectiologist and tropical doctor from Würzburg calls for global solidarity in the fight against the disease.

The discussion about whether the easing goes too far or not far enough unsettles people. Obviously, no one can assess the development of the pandemic with any certainty. Why not?

August stitch: It is understandable that one wishes a clear yes or no to the question of whether the restrictions can now be relaxed. But unfortunately, science cannot provide this answer, but at best it can give probabilities of consequences. At the moment we know too little about many aspects of virus spread.

What makes distribution so difficult to estimate?

Sting: For one thing, not all people who are infected get sick. We saw a number of people in our clinic who tested positive and had only mild symptoms. It is tricky that they still pass on the viruses. The spread of Covid-19 begins before there are symptoms. For example, this was not the case with the pathogen of SARS-1 in 2003, which made it easier to identify infection chains at the time.

What do you think of the exit?

Sting: I think it is dangerous to jeopardize the successes achieved in the past few weeks by easing things too quickly. As a medical professional, I don’t want to risk increasing the number of cases, which could cost human lives and overload the health system. On the other hand, of course, I see the economic and social problems. You have to drive on sight. The problem is that the consequences of making the wrong decision would be felt in ten to 20 days at the earliest. This is how long it takes until infected people appear as cases in the statistics.

There seem to be bright spots in the treatment. It was announced last week that the drug remdesivir can stop the proliferation of coronaviruses. Is that the breakthrough?

Sting: Agents that fight the virus are one chance. The other is that we are learning immensely in the treatment of the symptoms of the seriously ill in the intensive care units. In addition to the inflammation of the lungs, these are also those of other organs. These are caused by the excessive reaction of the body’s immune system. This is why some patients do not get well despite artificial ventilation. There are now drugs that can slow down these inflammatory reactions and save lives.

Doctors worldwide are fighting for the life of corona patients. Are they exchanging ideas?

Sting: The international exchange is huge. On the one hand, scientific findings on Covid-19 are published very quickly. On the other hand, doctors and researchers talk to each other in direct conference calls. A lot is happening right now.

You sound really excited.

Sting: Yes, I am happy to see how generously my colleagues pass on their knowledge. They also forego their own advantages, for example patents and economic profit. Because in science, you usually make progress if you develop your knowledge yourself and not if you share it with others at an early stage.

At the moment, scientists are in demand as rarely. Do you like it when colleagues like Christian Drosten, head of virology at the Charité in Berlin, become pop stars?

Sting: I know Christian Drosten personally. He has great expertise in his field, but is a humble person in private. And he acted generously in corona research. For example, a method developed by the Charité to quickly detect Covid 19 viruses was not made available to all laboratories after a lengthy patent procedure, but immediately.

What is the current situation in the clinics in Lower Franconia?

Sting: Due to the initial restrictions, the number of Covid 19 patients has decreased, so that clinics can perform the first of the postponed operations again. This is necessary for the patients, but also to be able to cover running costs again. Millions of euros have been lost in hospitals in recent weeks. But it was also possible to show how quickly the clinics can switch their operations to a disaster situation.

Do you think that will be necessary again?

Sting: If people do not adhere to the rules on distance and hygiene in the coming weeks and months, a second wave could come in autumn.

As a tropical doctor, you are also in contact with developing countries. What do you learn from there?

Sting: We have state protection screens, but developing countries don’t. If a day laborer is not allowed out of his hut in India, his family may starve. We have to be aware of that. I have a full understanding of the needs, for example in catering or from parents whose children should have returned to daycare centers and schools. But it’s not about survival, but it is in poor countries. Covid-19 is a global epidemic that we should address with global solidarity.

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