Share:
Influenza Symptoms, Treatment and Duration All about the rampant flu epidemic 2016
The influenza wave 2016 is slowly approaching its peak. So far over 3,000 people have become infected in Germany. Here is some information on who influenza is particularly affected in this season, how to recognize flu and what to do in case of a disease.
Number of confirmed diseases in the preseason higher
Fever, headache, body aches: The flu epidemic is in full swing. Not all regions in Germany are equally affected. According to figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), in addition to the East there is currently an accumulation of influenza cases in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. Also for southern Germany is currently reported a "significantly increased influenza activity". As can be seen from the weekly reports of the RKI, 3,081 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases were transmitted nationwide for the seventh calendar week. Thus, the number of cases since October has totaled 13,290. In the previous season, the number of confirmed diseases was much higher.
Many Germans are currently in bed with flu. The Robert Koch Institute has already recorded more than 3,000 infected people. (Image: Monkey Business / fotolia.com) Course of flu epidemic not predict
In principle, the course of a flu season can not be predicted. Although the season usually starts in January and lasts on average three to four months, but this time already in October first flu cases were reported in Berlin and Brandenburg. It is not mandatory to report flu in Germany. The Working Group on Influenza (AGI) evaluates the reports from GP surgeries and pediatricians to see how many people have become infected with it. However, not every patient with such a disease goes to the doctor and even there is not always determined with the appropriate symptoms whether a flu or influenza infection is present. The unreported figure is likely to be much higher in every season than the official figures show.
Especially many swine flu cases
A peculiarity of the current flu epidemic is that, according to initial findings, many healthy adults become infected with severe influenza. Reason for the fact that there are many more swine flu cases than in the previous year, according to the RKI probably the current dominance of only since 2009 circulating virus A (H1N1) pdm09. The H1N1 virus is better known to many as swine flu. "The virus also appears to cause more severe disease progression in younger adults and those without chronic pre-existing conditions than the A (H3N2) virus that was prevalent the previous year," said the RKI influenza expert. Silke Buda according to a message from the news agency dpa.
Difference between the flu and cold
Since the symptoms are somewhat similar, the difference between cold and flu is not immediately clear to all people. One point that makes it very clear what it is about is the beginning: a flu occurs quite suddenly. Often one feels in the morning still healthy and in the evening one has suddenly 40 degrees Fieber. As a rule, symptoms such as headache, limb and bone pain, chills and coughing and runny nose are added. The affected people usually feel very ill. Very important for the self-treatment of flu and colds is to drink a lot and a few days bed rest. The disease usually lasts five to seven days, the incubation period is according to RKI on average one to two days. In contrast to the flu, a cold usually begins gradually with complaints such as throat scratching or hoarseness, followed by colds and coughing. Often the worst is over after just one or two days. After about a week, all symptoms should be gone.
People from risk groups will be vaccinated
Whether a flu vaccine makes sense, everyone must decide for themselves. According to the RKI, it can provide protection even at the beginning and during the course of the flu epidemic. Health experts recommend people from risk groups to get vaccinated. For example, seniors over the age of 60, pregnant women, the chronically ill, residents of retirement and care homes and medical staff will be advised by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) to take flu shots. Ultimately, however, in the flu vaccine pros and cons weigh against each other. (Ad)