Many corona patients do not die of the virus, but of a known secondary disease – expert warns

Germany still has with the Corona pandemic to fight, but at least there are signs of relaxation. The one that has ruled for weeks Lockdown finally seems to work. The daily New infections become less, the seven-day incidence is falling in many parts of the country.

Many corona patients die of sepsis – it doesn’t have to be

But one thing is of great concern to the experts: they are still very high death rates. RKI boss Lothar Wieler called them “almost unbelievable” at a press conference. But many victims do not have to lose their lives at all. According to the German Sepsis Foundation, many die Corona patients at a Blood poisoningthat went undetected or was diagnosed too late.

The foundation chairman Konrad Reinhart told the editorial network Germany (RND) that there is still a widespread ignorance about the subject of sepsis in the population, but also in part among medical or nursing staff.

Coronavirus and sepsis: doctor calls for national sepsis plan

“A big problem is that many patients who want to cure themselves with an uncomplicated Covid 19 disease at home do not notice in time when they are in a sepsis passes over, ”explained Reinhart. “Anyone who notices signs such as a sudden extreme feeling of illness, fever, a high pulse, confusion or chills should by no means wait and go to a hospital or call the emergency doctor immediately.”

At a sepsis – general Blood poisoning called – is it a Overreaction of the immune system to an infection. This damages organs and can lead to death within hours. A sepsis can not only in the course of a Covid-19 disease but also after pneumonia, urinary tract infections and flu.

Sepsis: Around 75,000 deaths each year from blood poisoning in Germany

According to the sepsisFoundation, around 75,000 people die of one in Germany every year sepsis. Around 15,000 to 20,000 of them could be saved if the disease was recognized in good time and treated appropriately. The intensive care doctor Reinhart therefore demands one National sepsis plan. He receives support for his claim from the Robert Koch Institute and the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

Despite these depressing numbers, the pandemic Hope that the situation will noticeably improve due to the increasing number of people vaccinated. Chancellery chief Helge Braun said that mirrorthat he is optimistic that we can “return to our normal life in the summer”. However, Charité virologist Christian Drosten warned against loosening corona measures too early because the number of New infections then it could go up to 100,000. (mt / dpa)