Scholarlink

Background <p>The epidemiology of various respiratory infections changed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and other containment measures (nonpharmacologic interventions, NPI) led to a&#xa0;decline in virus circulation, resulting in fewer cases at hospitals and practices. Once restrictions were eased, a&#xa0;rebound effect was observed worldwide, resulting in an increase in viral and severe invasive bacterial infections.</p> Objective <p>Various case series on different ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections have been conducted in the context of the pandemic in Germany. These studies should be summarized and interpreted in the context of currently available data.</p> Materials and methods <p>The literature review focuses particularly on studies from Germany before, during, and after the pandemic, supplemented by European and international data.</p> Results <p>Following the lifting of NPIs, a&#xa0;general increase in severe bacterial ENT infections was observed worldwide, particularly among children. Evidence from the underlying retrospective data from Germany is limited. For mastoiditis and complicated sinus infections, cohort studies showed no change in the bacterial spectrum or in the complication rate. Microbiological data for peritonsillar abscesses are currently lacking. Necrotizing fasciitis in the head and neck region increased globally. Reliable data from Germany are currently unavailable.</p> Conclusion <p>The increased susceptibility due to low exposure to pathogens during the pandemic and the simultaneous surge in post-pandemic virus circulation is believed to be the main cause of the rise in infections. The current data do not prove a&#xa0;direct influence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus&#xa0;2 (SARS-CoV-2). Vaccinations, strict hygiene measures, patient education, and monitoring could help to mitigate the severity of such phenomena in the future.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

HNO-Infektionen im postpandemischen Kontext – Lehren aus der Literatur

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月7日

查看全文
  • Eva Goldberg-Bockhorn,
  • Anna Reich,
  • Julius M. Vahl,
  • Thomas K. Hoffmann,
  • Janina Hahn

摘要

Background

The epidemiology of various respiratory infections changed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and other containment measures (nonpharmacologic interventions, NPI) led to a decline in virus circulation, resulting in fewer cases at hospitals and practices. Once restrictions were eased, a rebound effect was observed worldwide, resulting in an increase in viral and severe invasive bacterial infections.

Objective

Various case series on different ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections have been conducted in the context of the pandemic in Germany. These studies should be summarized and interpreted in the context of currently available data.

Materials and methods

The literature review focuses particularly on studies from Germany before, during, and after the pandemic, supplemented by European and international data.

Results

Following the lifting of NPIs, a general increase in severe bacterial ENT infections was observed worldwide, particularly among children. Evidence from the underlying retrospective data from Germany is limited. For mastoiditis and complicated sinus infections, cohort studies showed no change in the bacterial spectrum or in the complication rate. Microbiological data for peritonsillar abscesses are currently lacking. Necrotizing fasciitis in the head and neck region increased globally. Reliable data from Germany are currently unavailable.

Conclusion

The increased susceptibility due to low exposure to pathogens during the pandemic and the simultaneous surge in post-pandemic virus circulation is believed to be the main cause of the rise in infections. The current data do not prove a direct influence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Vaccinations, strict hygiene measures, patient education, and monitoring could help to mitigate the severity of such phenomena in the future.