Abstracts by keywords: Basic Law (German constitution)
The global introduction of strict regulations to contain the coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19) pandemic had noticeable consequences for social life. Measures such as reducing indoor seating, social distancing, mandatory mask use and “stay at home” campaigns have drastically reduced interactions between people. These measures proved effective in reducing Covid-19 infection rates and thereby preventing the spread of the virus (1,2). However, several other pathogens, viruses and bacteria, are transmitted from person to person in a similar manner (3,4). This applies, for example, to many pathogens that cause respiratory and intestinal infections (5). During the Covid-19 pandemic, some non-communicable acute illnesses such as stroke and myocardial infarction have been documented less frequently. The behavioral change that resulted from the implementation of strict hygiene rules may also have led to a “real” decrease in the rates of non-Covid-19 infectious diseases (5,6). In other words, the measures taken to combat the Covid-19 pandemic may also have influenced the spread of other germs that cause respiratory tract infections (AI) and gastrointestinal infections (GI). For this reason, in the present study the authors wanted to investigate the frequency of these AI and GI during the Covid-19 pandemic using data from a large database that includes anonymized treatment information from general practitioners and pediatricians in Germany.