Flu risk is not over yet

No all-clear: flu risk is not over

02/13/2014

Although there are significantly fewer flu illnesses this winter than in previous years, the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin does not want to give the all-clear. Two years ago, the flu epidemic started in mid-February.

Increasing number of acute respiratory diseases
The Berlin Robert Koch Institute (RKI) wants to give despite all the fewer flu cases than in previous years, no all-clear. As Silke Burda, influenza expert at the RKI said, in 2012, the flu began in mid-February. The development can not be predicted. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Influenza is currently registering an increasing number of acute respiratory diseases in Germany. As Burda explained, the causes of cough, runny nose and sore throat are currently in many cases in other cold viruses.

Flu infection is not a flu
In contrast to a cold (flu infection) is a flu is not a harmless disease. The flu (influenza) comes abruptly and sounds only slowly. It comes to symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches, chills and joint and muscle pain. Unlike a cold that only affects the upper respiratory tract, influenza affects the whole body. Influenza patients usually feel very weak and miserable. The body may need several weeks to recover from the illness and regain strength.

Pay almost harmless this year
The national flu numbers, which are transmitted to the RKI according to the Infection Protection Act, look almost harmless compared to 2013 this year. In January there were only 373 registered influenza cases. Last year, there were 6,428 records in the first four weeks. According to the RKI, there is still time for a flu shot. In Germany, vaccination rates are still too low at around 28 percent. The Federal Republic of Germany does not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) target of 75 percent in the elderly.

Recommended vaccination
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) at the RKI recommends vaccination primarily for the elderly over 60 years of age, chronic patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, asthma or cardiovascular disease, medical personnel and pregnant women from the second trimester of pregnancy, as these are at risk , As a rule, the costs are covered by the health insurance companies. Basically, however, with the flu vaccine pros and cons weigh against each other. (Sb)