Coronavirus guide

Abstract

• The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) triggers a respiratory disease.
• The virus is transmitted via droplet and smear infection.
• The TeleClinic will provide you with a certificate of incapacity for work for up to three days at your doctor’s discretion
• Thorough hand hygiene is important to avoid infection.
• If you notice any signs, you should definitely contact your doctor and discuss the next steps.

What is the coronavirus?

The coronavirus is a family of viruses that includes SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Coronaviruses can infect both animals and humans and cause illnesses with symptoms ranging from the common cold to severe respiratory diseases. SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide since the end of 2019 and triggered a pandemic.

Transmission

The virus is transmitted via droplet infection and smear infection . It is important to know that the symptoms vary greatly from person to person, so a person with mild, unspecific symptoms can still be infected with the coronavirus and infect other people.

The incubation period is currently estimated at two to seven days (usually 5-6 days), with a maximum of 14 days.

Symptoms

In most cases, mild cold symptoms occur:

• Cough
• Common cold
• Fever
• Shortness of breath, shortness of breath
• Diarrhoea
• Chills
• Nausea
• Lack of sense of smell and taste

Corona sick leave by telephone

The sick note by telephone is an option if you have been infected with corona. TeleClinic offers a modern, fast and legally secure way to obtain a certificate of incapacity for work. There is no need to visit a doctor in person beforehand. Through direct contact with a doctor via video, the symptoms are professionally assessed.

• Legal certainty: TeleClinic sick notes are fully recognized under German legislation.
• Convenience: No waiting times in the practice or on the hotline – everything is done digitally from home.
• Speed: The sick note is issued immediately after the appointment via app.
• Quality: Professional assessment by licensed physicians – no mere symptom query.

TeleClinic enables efficient and reliable care that not only increases patient comfort, but also considerably simplifies the sick note process.

How can you protect yourself?

Although there are no longer any legal requirements, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) continues to recommend general hygiene measures – the same measures that apply to preventing the flu:

• Thorough hand hygiene
• Cough and sneeze etiquette (sneeze/cough into your elbow)
• Distance from sick people of any kind
• Refrain from shaking hands

Wearing a face mask in public does not reduce the risk of infection, as there is no effective self-protection.

Current legal status of the coronavirus in Germany

Since April 8, 2023, the nationwide corona protection measures have expired. This means that there are no longer any legal requirements, such as mask requirements or test certificates. However, some facilities, particularly in the healthcare sector, can still define their own protective measures.

• Nationwide coronavirus protection measures ended on April 8, 2023.
• No more legal mask or test obligations.
• Facilities can implement their own protective measures.

When should you get tested?

A corona test is useful if symptoms such as coughing, fever or shortness of breath occur that could indicate an infection. You should also get tested if you have had close contact with an infected person or before visiting sensitive areas such as care homes or hospitals. In some cases, a test may also be necessary when traveling or attending events.

Before you go to your family doctor with suspicious symptoms, you should definitely call the practice. During the conversation, explain that you have been in an affected region or have had contact with an infected person and have symptoms. The doctor’s surgery can then either refer you directly to the relevant health authority or take all the necessary safety precautions to prevent further infection.

Test options

Quick test

You can find rapid tests in any pharmacy or order them online. They provide a good initial assessment to clarify emerging symptoms.
It is important to note that positive results should always be confirmed with a more accurate PCR test.

PCR test

The PCR test is considered the gold standard test procedure for determining beyond doubt whether a person is infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus – or not.

The abbreviation PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. The method is currently considered the most reliable on the market for detecting coronaviruses. In PCR, the genetic material of the viruses is first multiplied in the laboratory. This allows the disease-causing viruses to be detected in the test, even if they were previously only present in minute quantities.

The genetic material of coronaviruses is not present as DNA, but as RNA. Therefore, a so-called reverse transcriptase is carried out first, which transcribes the genetic material from RNA to DNA. For this reason, these special PCR tests are also known as RT-PCR. The final result of the test determines whether genetic material of the novel virus was present in your throat at the time the sample was taken.

In addition to the result of the PCR test, the ct value is also given. This gives an indication of how infectious you were at the time the sample was taken. A high ct value indicates a low viral load in the source material.

Antibody tests

The body reacts to the viral infection by producing antibodies. There are different types of antibodies: IgM, IgA and IgG. The first of these – IgM and IgA – are formed within 7 to 14 days of infection and therefore 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. They take over the first defense reaction to the coronavirus.

After about another week, i.e. after a total of 14 to 21 days, further antibodies are added: the IgG antibodies. They are the body’s immune memory and can be used immediately for defense in the event of further contact. Their detection confirms a previous infection with SARS-CoV-2. How long these antibodies are retained has not yet been conclusively clarified. Studies show that IgG antibodies were still detectable in many patients after six to eight months.

The coronavirus antibody test detects these long-acting IgG antibodies. Because they are formed with a time delay, this test only indicates an infection retrospectively. The coronavirus antibody test answers the question: “Did I have coronavirus?“, but does not provide any information about the current situation.

What happens in the event of suspicion?

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has updated its recommendations for handling SARS-CoV-2 infections. No officially ordered isolation or quarantine measures are currently planned for the general population. Nevertheless, the RKI emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility to minimize the spread of the virus.

Flu, cold or coronavirus?

It is very difficult for laypersons to distinguish between flu (influenza), flu-like infection (common cold) and coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) on the basis of symptoms. People who notice flu-like symptoms and have had contact with an infected person should get tested and inform the relevant health authority. In most cases, however, it is a flu-like infection or influenza.

How TeleClinic can help

Doctors are available around the clock to advise you on the coronavirus and other health issues. At the doctor’s discretion, you can receive sick notes and prescriptions directly via the app, without having to wait in a practice and without the risk of infection.

Sources

• https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus.html
• https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/Ausbrueche/respiratorisch/Pneumonien-China.html
• https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQ/NCOV2019/FAQ_Liste.html
• https://www.aponet.de/aktuelles/ihr-apotheker-informiert/20200201-grippe-erkaeltung-oder-coronavirus.html
• https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus/corona-massnahmen-1734724
• https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/bund-laender-beschluss-1805264