Corona: German top virologist clears up symptom myths and has important advice for the flu season

The NDR virologists podcast "Coronavirus Update" has a new face.

Sandra Ciesek from Frankfurt will take turns with Christian Drosten in the future.

• The virologist podcast "Coronavirus Update" is getting a new expert.

• The Frankfurt virologist Sandra Ciesek will speak for the first time on September 8th in NDR format about current developments in matters of Corona *.

• It can be heard every two weeks, alternating with colleague Christian Drosten from Berlin.

• You can follow the current infection story in Germany in our news ticker.

Update from September 8, 4:16 p.m.:

For the first time, virologist

director of the Institute for Virology at the University Clinic Frankfurt am Main, answered questions from NDR science journalist

.

The topic of the latest

was: "The white spot in the pandemic".

It was mainly about

,

who show no symptoms during their illness -

are

.

These people are problematic in two ways.

On the one hand, they can be dangerous for those around them, as they

can pass

the

on

despite the absence of

.

On the other hand, it is so difficult for scientists

to determine

typical

.

Even the definition of

and their interpretation are often difficult, says

.

"There are objective

- which can be measured - and there are subjective

,

that every person perceives differently. "So one could

clearly measure, but for example, the 19 percent of

smell and taste loss given could not objectively demonstrate it. Even diffuse phenomena like a reddened throat, fatigue and malaise can on

point , but are so unspecific that they cannot be directly linked to the

, so

a test should be carried out and a doctor should be

,

especially in the case of critical symptoms such as

,

and

.

Meanwhile, the first case of African swine fever has been confirmed in Germany.

NDR “Coronavirus Update” podcast: Virologist gives advice on how to get through autumn safely

in particular are often

asymptomatic.

But if the little ones complain about being unwell, how should they deal with it, the NDR presenter wanted to know.

The expert's tip was to observe first - if possible.

If the child still

shows

after a day or two

, then a

can be seen

.

But one has to bear in mind that

very common in children and "the likelihood that they have one of the other 100

that lead to

is higher

if one has not

shown

."

Many people in Germany are now worried about

and

as the usual

.

"Colds are particularly an issue for us in autumn, on the other hand, the

also

have an impact

on other

, right?",

asked

her new guest.

This confirms that when

in Hong Kong in 2003, many people there wore masks and kept their distance.

A

then found that compared to the previous years, other viral diseases had declined, said

.

So

your advice for the

is

such as the elderly and the chronically ill should get

vaccinations.

All others should continue to

pay attention

to the

- that is, distance, hygiene and everyday mask.

I look forward to working with @NDRinfo and supporting this great podcast in the future: "Coronavirus update" now with Drosten and Ciesek https://t.co/clNjret517

- Sandra Ciesek (@CiesekSandra) August 27, 2020

NDR Corona podcast: Today for the first time with virologist Sandra Ciesek

First report from September 8, 2020: Hamburg

- The

, which

won the Grimme Online Award,

will be reinforced after the summer break. In addition to the regular talk guest

, head of the virology department at the Charité in Berlin, will now also his colleague

, from the University Clinic Frankfurt am Main, will be there. The two experts provide information on the latest developments in

weekly basis

.

turn

and

will add to the show for another reason.

NDR coronavirus podcast: Virologist Sandra Ciesek also knows the patient's perspective

The 42-year-old

,

who was born in Goslar, is

currently researching with her team * at the University Clinic in Frankfurt for a drug to treat Covid-19 *.

It was also she and her team who demonstrated at the beginning of the year that people who show no symptoms * can also be carriers of the

.

In addition to her technical expertise, she also has another advantage.

"I am a

and research

in the laboratory, but I have also worked in internal medicine for several years," said

the German Press Agency.

“That's why I know the patient's perspective well and have experience in simply explaining complex topics.

These two spheres are often separated in public debates. "

thinks Ciesek

is a real reinforcement for the podcast team

.

As a researcher but also as a former medical practitioner, she brings an additional aspect to the show.

“For me it was simply a wish to do it with less frequency.

is also set up differently in her science than I am: She works more in the direction of clinical observation, virological studies, while I am a basic researcher, "says

the

.

The two virologists now take turns on the NDR “Coronavirus Update” podcast

The first NDR podcast after the summer break with

waves right away.

In addition to the usefulness of the

, the

also

spoke

about so-called

.

These are groups of people, at least one of whom has

.

New

arise

from such a

.

But

believes that sending

these people - mostly without symptoms - into

for

14 days is

excessive and brought a

into play.

In the public, however, this proposal was often misunderstood and applied to all

.

then had great difficulty correcting his statement.

Today there is the first podcast with @CiesekSandra.

I'm already looking forward to it!

https://t.co/0eW27IcpfX

- Christian Drosten (@c_drosten) September 8, 2020

Every Tuesday, the two experts now alternately speak in the

about current developments in matters of

. Among other things, it will also be about whether Germany is already in a second wave * or how decisive the reproduction number * is for The spread of the disease in the country is. Numerous requests from listeners are also dealt with on the show. In addition, one has the opportunity

to read

everything that has been

discussed

in

at the end of the broadcast. Links to the

discussed

can also be found on the transmitter homepage. The first episode with

will be available today (September 8th) from 3 p.m. on the NDR homepage.

The first nationwide warning day since reunification will take place in Germany on Thursday, September 10th.

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