As is well known, autumn is peak season for viral and infectious diseases. The combination that we spend more time together indoors and that our immune system works less well when it’s cold makes us more prone to illness. In addition, the weather is colder, which means that viruses survive longer outside the body, for example on door handles. But what do you actually do now if you catch a cold and suspect corona? And how many will get sick? You will hopefully find the answers here: What will the corona fall look like? Should I get tested? Should I get vaccinated? When and where can I get vaccinated? What do I do if I get infected? What is offered to those who are not in the risk groups? How will the corona autumn be? If we are to believe senior physician at the Department of Infection Control and Vaccines at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), Trine Hessevik Paulsen, we can once again expect an increase in infections beyond the autumn. – In the last two winter seasons, there has been an increase in covid-19 in late autumn which has continued into winter, says Paulsen. This year there has also been an increasing covid-19 trend since early summer, which has continued throughout the autumn, but at a somewhat lower rate in recent weeks. The increase in cases of infection this summer is assumed by FHI to be due to declining immunity in the population. – And perhaps in combination with the fact that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed somewhat, says Paulsen. In week 36, just over 1,200 people were diagnosed with corona infection in Norway, after just over 1,300 cases the week before. According to Paulsen, the real number of infected people is probably much higher, because far from everyone is tested. – Since covid-19 does not yet have a predictable pattern, we cannot be sure of further developments, but we must be prepared that there may be an increase in infections beyond the autumn, she says. Should I get tested? According to FHI’s recommendations, you no longer need to test yourself for corona, even if you have respiratory symptoms. Only those who belong to a risk group should be tested. If, on the other hand, you are in the risk group and get symptoms of corona, you should take a self-test. If the test is negative, but the symptoms persist, the test must be repeated daily for up to four days. If you test positive or the symptoms worsen, a doctor should be contacted. Self-tests for corona can be bought at pharmacies, done easily from home, and give results in 15-20 minutes. Photo: Mathias Kartveit Mikalsen / news At Vitus pharmacy at Majorstua in Oslo, the employees have noticed a gradually increasing request for self-tests since the summer. This has resulted in customers being sent home empty-handed. – They shake their heads in despair when we say that “unfortunately we don’t have that”, says pharmacist Stein Lorentzen-Lund. Lorentzen-Lund nevertheless assures that the pharmacy is only temporarily sold out, and that a refill of tests is underway. Some may still have self-tests from earlier lying at home, these can still be safely used – but remember to check the expiry date first. – There is no guarantee that self-tests that have expired are reliable, says Helen Brandstorp, division director in the Norwegian Directorate of Health. Therefore, the Norwegian Directorate of Health’s recommendation is to purchase new ones if you are in the risk group or if you want to have tests at home. Should I get a vaccine? FHI’s recommendations on a new booster dose of corona vaccine are designed to protect those most at risk of serious illness. This means that only those who are within the following risk groups should get vaccinated: People over 65 and residents of nursing homes. People between the ages of 18 and 64 who belong to a risk group. Children and young people between the ages of 12 and 17 with a serious underlying illness. Children between 6 months and 11 years with a serious underlying disease, after individual assessment. Pregnant in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. Vaccination in the 1st trimester can be considered if the pregnant woman has additional diseases that increase the risk. It is the updated vaccine Comirnaty Omicron XBB. 1.5 which is offered this autumn. The vaccine is produced by Biontech/Pfizer, and is a so-called mRNA vaccine. Photo: Simon Skjelvik Brandseth The vaccine given covers sub-variants of the coronavirus, omikron, which are currently circulating. The vaccine can be given to children from 6 months of age and is used both for basic vaccination and as a booster dose. When and where can you get the vaccine? You can get the corona vaccine at vaccination centres, GP offices and some pharmacies. Vaccination with corona vaccine for the recommended groups before the autumn and winter season 24/25 will start at the same time as the flu vaccination at the beginning of October. The municipalities themselves are responsible for offering corona vaccination, so it is a good idea to check your municipality’s website for specific details about where and when the vaccination takes place. – People come and wonder if we put in a corona vaccine. We did that at the time, but Oslo municipality has now chosen to take care of it themselves, says Lorentzen-Lund in Vitus pharmacy. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and former Minister of Health and Care Ingvild Kjerkol during a tour of the Nydalen vaccination center in 2022. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB Those in the risk groups are recommended to get vaccinated from next month. – We do not know for sure when there will be an infection peak, but based on the experience from previous years, it seems that vaccination from October will provide protection during the months with the highest risk of infection, says Paulsen. What do I do if I get infected? The advice for new respiratory symptoms is still to stay at home if you feel sick, regardless of the cause. There are no longer rules for quarantine or isolation. This means that if you are not in a risk group – but still feel sick – then the general infection prevention advice applies: Stay at home. Avoid coughing or sneezing directly on others. Ensure good hand hygiene. Masks are recommended in some situations to reduce the risk of infection to people who are in the risk groups. In case of respiratory symptoms, the best advice is to stay at home. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB If you are in the risk group and test positive for corona, the doctor will make an overall assessment. The doctor will look at your age, how long it has been since you had your last vaccine dose, and other risk factors. Based on this, the doctor will decide whether treatment with drugs such as Paxlovid is necessary. What is offered to those who are not in the risk groups? Unlike a bacterial infection, a viral infection such as covid-19 cannot be treated with antibiotics. Vaccination has therefore been an important means of preventing serious illness in those who are particularly vulnerable. For those who are not in the risk group, covid-19 generally has a mild disease course. Helen Brandstorp, division director for municipal services and emergency preparedness in the Directorate of Health. Photo: Thomas Koonce – The treatment must therefore be adapted to the course of the individual’s illness. For most, this means implementing infection control measures that prevent further infection, says Brandstorp. – Stay at home if you feel sick with respiratory symptoms, is the advice from the superior. But if you are concerned about your own health or the health of your loved ones, you should contact your GP or emergency room. Published 19.09.2024, at 17.01
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How will the corona autumn be? – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
