Experts warn against flu and noro virus

Germany is facing a serious flu epidemic

29/01/2013

Scientists warn: The first flu epidemic is approaching - and a little earlier than in the previous year, according to the announcement of the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectiology at the University of Rostock.

Many people already sufficiently protected by vaccination
Thus, the information of the director of the institute, Prof. dr. med. Emil C. Reisinger, according to the so-called „Swine flu virus“ H1N1, which has been prevalent worldwide for five years, is circulating through Germany again. But a large proportion of the population is now protected against the virus, because „Many people have already gone through the disease, a large part has been vaccinated, "said Reisinger.

Vaccination most effective protection against infection
According to Reisinger, the flu vaccine is still the safest protection against infection, and this would be particularly recommendable for some groups of people: older people over the age of 60, pregnant women from the fourth month, children, adolescents and adults with chronic respiratory diseases As well as people with a lot of public access to take this precaution, since a disease could be associated under some circumstances with serious risks.

But the protection will, according to Reisingers „only with regular influenza vaccine effective ", and even then can not be guaranteed, because „If another strain of virus intersperses, or if a new virus occurs due to point mutations or further genetic changes, then the situation can also change rapidly“, the doctor continues.

Experts also warn about Noro virus: New variant is currently rampant in Rostock
At the same time, the physician warns against the spread of norovirus, which has been responsible for around 50% of serious gastrointestinal infections over the past ten years in the winter. According to Emil Reisinger, the Noroviruses could change their genetic material - as well as the flu viruses - again and again: „That's why new variants are constantly being created, which are easily transmitted“, Reisinger continues.

According to the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectiology, aggressive gastrointestinal influenza in Rostock is currently rampant - in this case the pathogen is a new variation of norovirus, the so-called „Sydney 2012 virus“, so the information Reisingers. But according to the experts, the occurrence of the virus is not limited to the north - in other parts of Germany would be the „Sydney 2012 virus“ However, as many cases currently exist, it is not yet known.

Contagion would initially be associated with vomiting, watery diarrhea, cramping and nausea and would primarily affect young children up to 5 years of age and the elderly. Due to a high density of vulnerable groups of people, it could come to epidemics on ships, as well as in children's homes and retirement homes, so the physician. In most cases, according to Reisinger, however, after 12 to 60 hours an end to the symptoms is in sight, by which time the patients would usually be hospitalized and isolated: „Patients are given fluids to stabilize the circulation“, because „If you lose too much water, you risk a circulatory collapse and kidney failure“, the expert knows. (Sb)

Also read about flu:
State of emergency due to influenza in New York
Self-treatment flu & colds
Influenza occurs suddenly

Picture credits: Dieter Schütz