Influenza viruses favor bacterial infections

Influenza viruses contribute to secondary bacterial infections

18/01/2012

According to the pediatrician Martin Terhardt often suffers from influenza-related children, often in addition to bacterial infections. As a rule, the bacteria are pneumococci or Streptococcus pneumoniae, which belong to the streptococci. Bacterial inflammation can lead to further, sometimes serious, complications.

Bacterial secondary infections can trigger meningitis
The interplay of influenza viruses and pneumococci can trigger dangerous diseases such as blood poisoning, middle ear infections, pneumonia and meningitis. Martin Terhardt, member of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute, explains: "The pneumococci are found in about 80 percent of small children in the nose and throat area, without causing any damage." The pediatrician reports further : "Only when a child becomes ill can these bacteria spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or ear, but also to the blood and brain, causing bacterial co-infection or even life-threatening re-infection with the same pathogen. a superinfection. "

Severe disease progression only through secondary infection
According to Terhardt, secondary infections in children with influenza are responsible for the severe course of the disease. This is also confirmed by autopsies of victims of the Spanish flu, in which the interplay of influenza viruses and pneumococci has led to death. The scientists were able to prove that the bacteria could only spread among different organisms if they were already suffering from the flu. If the infection with influenza viruses was prevented, the pneumococci could not spread further.

Scientists believe it is very likely that bacterial load in the body of a pneumococcus carrier is being amplified by influenza viruses. Furthermore, it is believed that the viruses also make previously unaffected people for the bacteria more susceptible because they lead to the weakening of the immune system. Terhardt explains: "Influenza viruses, for example, destroy the cleansing ciliated epithelium of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and thus provide an ideal breeding ground for the bacteria." Young children are particularly susceptible to these pneumococcal diseases interacting with influenza viruses. Terhardt explains that a flu vaccine is recommended for both young children and the elderly as well as the chronically ill.

Robert Koch Institute recommends flu vaccination for certain groups of people
The Standing Vaccination Commission of the Robert Koch Institute (STIKO) advises certain, particularly vulnerable groups to be vaccinated against the flu. The background is a flu epidemic whose outbreak is feared in the coming weeks. Influenza expert Silke Buda from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) explains: "It has never happened before that it stays away." Although the optimal vaccination period would be in October and November, one could still be vaccinated against influenza. For the development of the protection by the own immune system takes about two weeks after the vaccination. The expert adds: "Normally, the seasonal flu epidemic begins in late January or early February." (Ag)

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