The flu epidemic is not yet at its peak

The current reports on the topic of "coronaviruses" are very unsettling, especially since it is known that these viruses belong to the family of pathogens that cause flu and colds.Diseases are responsible.

There is still no vaccine against the particularly aggressive coronaviruses. And this is precisely what makes us more aware of the need to protect ourselves against all flu viruses as much as possible.

Every year, at the beginning of winter, the discussion about the flu vaccination begins. How useful is it, for whom and when? Whatever your opinion on the matter, one thing is undisputed: the protection provided by a flu vaccination is always better than no protection at all.

And: Those who are vaccinated can Flu not spread it. This protects other people for whom the flu may be dangerous. That is why relatives or caregivers of people at risk are advised to get a flu vaccination.

The Robert Koch Institute has just reported that the current flu wave is still ongoing. Since October 2019, 13.500 cases of flu have been reported, including more than 4.500 in January alone. 32 people have died of flu and more than 3.500 patients are being treated in hospitals. Statistically, it has been proven that in years when the number of flu vaccinations was lower, the number of flu cases increased.

A study by the "Lancet Respiratory Medicine" from 2014 states that one in five people becomes infected with influenza viruses during a flu epidemic. But most of them don't know it because they don't have any symptoms. Flu viruses also change very quickly, become resistant or new variants develop. You should therefore get your flu vaccination updated every year because the effect only lasts for about six months.

Therefore, it makes sense that there is a vaccination against the "real" flu - but not against the common cold. The vaccine differs from year to year, depending on which flu viruses are currently circulating.

There are enough reasons to get vaccinated as soon as possible, if you haven't already done so. Time is of the essence, as it can take up to 14 days for protection to build up.

Flu or cold

There is one major difference: a cold starts very slowly and usually subsides after a few days. It also affects your well-being, but you are not seriously ill. The most important criterion is also absent: fever. In concrete terms, this means that anyone who has a cold will fortunately be spared from it.

Anyone who already suffers from a high fever should quickly seek Doctor to seek out.

This is especially true for:

• Seniors
• people with cardiovascular diseases
• people with lung diseases
• Diabetic
• people with weak immune systems

The flu is caused by viruses and usually starts suddenly. You feel healthy in the morning and suddenly have a fever in the evening. Many sufferers also suffer from severe headaches and aching limbs, as well as chills and feel miserable and weak - sometimes for weeks or even months.

The real flu (influenza) is initially a harmless cold (gripal infect) is difficult to distinguish. However, it is a serious disease, it can be more serious and can cause pneumonia, for example, and even death. Not only does the whole body hurt, other organs can also be affected: gastrointestinal tract - joints - muscles - brain

However, many sufferers confuse flu and colds because the symptoms are very similar. A cold can occur up to four times a year. This is also caused by viruses - but different types of viruses - and here too a runny nose, sore throat and headache occur.

Complications mainly affect people with pre-existing conditions and older people. Pregnant women are also at increased risk, especially for pneumonia. Anyone who is not in the risk group but who also suffers from shortness of breath, circulatory problems or even dizziness when they suspect they have the flu should also see a doctor. This also applies to those who have a long-lasting cold or if a new attack occurs after a few days.

flu vaccination

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination against influenza, especially for people who are at increased risk of serious consequences if they contract influenza:

• People who are 60 years and older
• residents of old people's or nursing homes
• healthy pregnant women from the second trimester onwards, in case of additional health risks regardless of the stage of pregnancy
• Children, adolescents and adults with increased health risks due to underlying diseases such as chronic diseases of the respiratory organs (e.g. Asthma), heart or circulatory diseases, liver or kidney diseases, Diabetes or other metabolic diseases, chronic neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, congenital or acquired disorders of the immune system, HIV infection.

The vaccination is also recommended for

• People with a greatly increased risk of becoming infected (e.g. staff in facilities with a lot of public traffic or employees in the medical field with patient contact, residents of shared accommodation)
• People (e.g. relatives, caregivers) who may endanger people at risk living in the same household or who are cared for by them. People with direct contact with poultry and wild birds