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Health insurance company turns hotline to severe flu
The flu epidemic started particularly early this year. Almost 40,000 diseases have already been registered. The Carnival could increase the number of flu and cold cases. Experts explain what to look for and how to protect yourself.
Service for all insured
The violent flu epidemic has ensured that significantly more people than usual with complaints such as cough, sore throat and fever in bed. DAK-Gesundheit now offers a telephone hotline around the flu. According to a statement from the health insurance, the service can be used by all insured persons.
The flu epidemic started very early this season. Already around 39,000 diseases have been registered. The health insurance DAK health now switches a telephone hotline on the subject. (Image: Viacheslav Iakobchuk / fotolia.com) Experts answer questions about influenza
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has already recorded around 39,000 diseases since the beginning of the year - and not all cases are reported by far. 126 people died from the so-called influenza. Particularly affected are the south and east of Germany, as well as parts of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.
In response to the analysis, DAK-Gesundheit now offers a telephone hotline around the topic. How to prevent? Is the vaccination still useful? How is the real flu different from a cold??
According to the information, medical experts will be giving advice on the 15th of February between 8am and 8pm. The service offer under the free phone number 0800 1111 841 can therefore use insured of all health insurance companies.
Experts believe that the flu will continue to spread in the coming weeks.
Do not take lightly
"Flu or real flu should not be taken lightly," warned Drs. Mark Dankhoff, doctor at DAK-Gesundheit. "Especially for older people and pregnant women, the infection can be dangerous."
The symptoms of a true flu range from severe chills to coughing to severe fever. "Those affected feel very ill from now on. That's what distinguishes real flu from a cold, "says Dankhoff.
Protection from the flu
Although vaccination is recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) for high-risk groups (pregnant women, people over 60 and people with chronic diseases), it does not provide 100% protection.
"As we know from previous seasons of predominantly A (H3N2) virus occurrence, this season it is clear that less than half of the vaccinated are protected against influenza," wrote Robert Koch. Institute (RKI) in the "Epidemiological Bulletin" (4/2017).
In addition to the flu vaccine, a number of other preventive measures can reduce the risk of infection. Basically, it makes sense to strengthen the immune system and keep away from sufferers.
"To get rid of viruses as soon as possible, you should wash your hands more often than usual," advises DAK doctor Dankhoff. But more can be done to escape the flu epidemic - or not infect others if you've already infected yourself. The DAK experts will provide answers to these and other questions on the hotline on 15 February. (Ad)