Current wave of influenza: Peak value of previous waves already exceeded in December

Created: 12/16/2022, 09:41 am

By: Juliane Gutmann

The annual flu wave usually starts in January.

But in 2022 it starts earlier.

Currently, not only the flu is spreading, but also other respiratory diseases.

Overcrowded pediatric practices due to a wave of RSV infections, the highest number of sick leave in years and clinics that are again taking in more and more patients with threatening courses of the disease: Current information about the health situation in the nation is not very reassuring.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) estimates the number of patients with acute respiratory disease in Germany at around 9.3 million - regardless of a doctor's visit (as of December 11, 2022).

This means that an unusually large number of people are currently struggling with a respiratory infection such as influenza or a common cold.

The weekly RKI report by the Influenza Working Group as of mid-December 2022 states that the number of people affected "continues to be very well above the range of previous years at this time" and the "level observed at the peak of the strong flu wave of 2017/18 was exceeded”.

Dress warmly, sleep a lot, drink a lot – the best helpers when you have a cold.

Flu symptoms also subside faster if you take it easy.

© Tanya Yatsenko/Imago

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As many at the doctor as during severe flu outbreaks

According to the report, most cases of illness are due to influenza viruses, which can cause flu.

Although this is harmless in most cases, it can also have life-threatening consequences.

In the period from December 5 to 11, 2022 alone, 162 influenza cases were reported to the RKI.

52 submitted samples revealed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.

Other reported cases of illness were due to infections with rhinoviruses, human seasonal corona viruses (hCoV) and Sars-CoV-2.

The result: "The number of doctor's visits is roughly in the range of the peak values ​​for severe flu outbreaks," according to the RKI.

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Influenza is one of the notifiable diseases.

This means that doctors have to report cases of the viral disease to the health authorities, which transmit them to the RKI via the state authorities.

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Influenza vaccination for everyone?

Against the background that not only influenza viruses but also corona viruses that can trigger Covid-19 are currently circulating, some doctors advise everyone to get the flu vaccination.

As the Federal Ministry of Health quotes Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, the flu vaccination for risk groups such as over 60-year-olds is as important as the corona booster.

Immune protection was lost to some extent during the pandemic, making the population particularly susceptible to the new flu viruses.

Vaccination is therefore the best protection against a severe course.

You can also get the flu shot at the same time as the COVID shot.

Federal Health Minister Prof. Karl Lauterbach

According to a study, anyone who is vaccinated against corona also protects themselves against colds.

Another survey shows that corona patients with flu vaccinations need to be treated in intensive care less often.