Self-reported infections in Norway: a study of incidence, doctor visits, antibiotic use, and absence from work

BACKGROUND: Infections are common and frequently lead to doctor visits, use of antibiotics, and absence from work. OBJECTIVE: To investigate frequency of different self-reported infections and the impact on doctor visits, antibiotic use, and absence from work. METHOD: A cross-sectional study based on an online survey in Norwegian primary care, focusing on infections. Individuals between 25 and 70 years of age, were recruited by general practitioners (GPs) through the Norwegian Primary Care Research Network. The respondents reported different types of infections they had experienced in the last 3 months, and if the infection resulted in a GP visit, use of antibiotics or absence from work. Descriptive analyses were used to estimate proportions and multivariate logistic regressions to assess predictors for absence from work. RESULTS: In total, 74.5% of the respondents reported to have experienced an infection during the last 3 months. Respiratory infections were reported by 63.7%, among these cases, 50.9% reported common cold (95% CI 47.6-54.2), 31.5% influenza-like illness (95% CI 28.4-34.5) and 17.9% COVID-19 (95% CI 15.2-20.5). Among those reporting respiratory tract infections, only 18.6% (95% CI 16.4-20.8) visited a GP. Bronchitis/pneumonia most often led to a GP visit (52.8%, 95% CI 36.3-71.0) and antibiotic prescription (25.0%, 95% CI 11.5-40.7). Respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal infections had the greatest impact on sickness absence from work. Of these, COVID-19 was the strongest predictor for absence from work (OR 9.29, 95% CI 5.8-14.8). CONCLUSION: Respiratory tract infections were the most common type of self-reported infection, and while only one in five visited the GP, the impact on work absence was large. COVID-19 gave the greatest risk of absenteeism.