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Violent flu epidemic Several clinics had to close the emergency room
Already weeks ago there was evidence that there could be significantly more flu cases this season than last winter. In some regions, the diseases are currently increasing. In southern Germany, several hospitals had to close their emergency rooms due to overloading. The reason for this is the heavy flu epidemic.
Influenza should not be underestimated
The current flu season has begun much earlier in some parts of Germany than in previous years. Health experts warn against underestimating influenza. For example, the Bavarian State Office for Health (LGL) writes on its website: "For people with underlying conditions, flu can be a life-threatening complication." In fact, dozens of people have died from the disease during the current flu epidemic. In southern Germany, some hospitals are now at their limits.
The flu epidemic is currently causing some clinics to close their emergency rooms due to congestion. An end to the disease wave is not yet in sight. (Image: Monkey Business / fotolia.com) Several clinics are overloaded
In Nuremberg and Munich, the emergency rooms of several clinics are currently overloaded, reports the news agency dpa. Hans-Peter Reißmann, spokesman for the Nuremberg fire brigade, in which the Integrated Rescue Coordination Center is based, said that at least in Swiss francs, the reason for this is the flu.
"There are a lot of patients arriving at the hospitals and sometimes the nurses are falling off because of the flu," says Reißmann. "It's extremely difficult at the moment. We are not aware of any comparable situation to the extent of the past few years. "
The Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), which had first reported on the bottlenecks, pointed out that, in addition to influenza, nororvirus and RSV (human respiratory syncytial virus, English: Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are increasingly occurring.
Family doctor instead of emergency room
Even without a flu epidemic, there are often overcrowded emergency rooms in many hospitals. Many of the patients who go to these facilities would be better off with the family doctor.
As Reissmann explained, clinics in Nuremberg would have to close their emergency rooms again and again. The patients would have to be partially distributed to hospitals in Erlangen and in the Nuremberg region. "The ambulances are currently on the road for a long time, until they accommodate the patients."
On the portal Ivena, which represents the capacities of the clinics, inter alia, in Munich and Nuremberg, many red bars were shown on Tuesday morning, which signal the status "occupied". "We hope that the situation in the middle of February slowly relaxes," said Reißmann.
Focus of the current flu epidemic
The current Influenzabericht the working group influenza (AGI) shows that the flu is currently widespread, especially in the south and east of Germany. Focus is also North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. However, not all flu cases are reported.
This is also due to the fact that many patients are not sure whether a flu or a flu infection is responsible for their complaints. Not all of them go to the doctor and even there people with cold symptoms are not always tested for influenza.
Although the influenza season 2016/2017 is in full swing, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) it may still be useful to get vaccinated against influenza.
No one hundred percent protection
According to the RKI's "Epidemiological Bulletin" (4/2017), currently about 98% of influenza A (H3N2) viruses are known to circulate, especially in the elderly, according to the current influenza weekly report of the AG influenza at the RKI and cause serious illness and death to young children ".
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination for groups at risk (pregnant women, people over 60 and people with chronic diseases). The recommendation mainly concerns medical and nursing staff.
However, the vaccine does not provide 100% protection. "As has been known from previous seasons of predominantly A (H3N2) virus occurrence, this season it is also becoming apparent that less than half of the vaccinated are protected against influenza," the experts write.
"Nevertheless, the influenza vaccine remains the best preventive measure to reduce the risk of illness. In addition, it speaks for the vaccine that in vaccinated people a disease is usually milder and with fewer complications, "it continues. (Ad)