This is the best way to protect yourself against RSV, influenza and corona at Christmas
Created: 12/23/2022, 10:05 am
By: Yannick Hanke
Germany is confronted with a large number of respiratory infections.
But what is the best protection against RSV, influenza and corona at Christmas 2022?
Berlin – Christmas is almost upon us.
Quickly get the last presents, buy the rest for the festive meal - and think about your own protection against RSV (RS virus), influenza and corona.
Because at the end of December 2022, many people in Germany will be confronted with respiratory infections.
kreiszeitung.de reveals which measures help best to be able to spend a healthy and as germ-free Christmas as possible with loved ones.
Protection against RSV, influenza and corona: what can be done before Christmas 2022?
"The series of respiratory viruses is led by influenza, then come rhinoviruses and RSV - especially in smaller children.
And then comes Corona," Mathias Pletz told
n-tv
.
The pneumologist (lung specialist) and infectiologist from the Jena University Hospital talks about the various pathogens that the weekly report from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) lists in the context of the numerous respiratory infections.
And especially at Christmas time, when whole families get together, it is quite possible that infections are transmitted.
Around Christmas 2022, Germany is confronted with RSV, influenza and corona.
But what is the best way to protect yourself over the holidays?
© Jens Kalaene/dpa/Silas Stein/imago/Montage
This poses a great risk, especially for people who have a weakened immune system due to previous illnesses.
You must therefore fear serious illnesses up to Long Covid (in the case of Corona).
“For many, the corona virus no longer seems dangerous.
But you have to look at the individual situation," notes Julian Schulze zur Wiesch, senior physician in the infectiology section at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.
The big question: How can Christmas 2022 be made as safe as possible against the background of RSV, influenza (flu) and the corona virus?
Wear masks on the train, work from home, "mini quarantine" - everything against RSV, influenza and corona before Christmas
A lot can be done in terms of protection in the days leading up to this year's Christmas celebrations.
Schulze zur Wiesch speaks of a "mini quarantine" that would last a few days and ultimately means a "reduction in contacts".
Using the home office for the last working days before Christmas or forgoing the obligatory visit to the pub at home could definitely be “sensible”.
Another piece of advice from the doctor:
If you want to celebrate with vulnerable family members, it makes sense, for example, to continue to wear a mask while traveling by train.
Wearing a mouth and nose protector is a simple and effective measure.
Julian Schulze zur Wiesch, Senior Physician in the Infectious Diseases Section at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, told n-tv
But you also have to do it consistently, "even if others don't look right".
With this, Schulze zur Wiesch is alluding to the fact that in some federal states there is no longer a requirement to wear a mask on regional trains.
And that with the expected full trains around Christmas 2022. The doctor recommends addressing the topic of infection control within the family before Christmas.
It should be about fundamental questions.
Should a rapid corona test be carried out beforehand?
Or: Is singing in a small living room okay, even if it creates more aerosols?
Vaccinations as the best protection against infections around Christmas - at least possible against corona and influenza
According to Mathias Pletz, the following rule should also be adhered to at Christmas: "If I feel sick, I stay at home".
Even if that would be difficult of course.
If there is a contemplative, non-confrontational family get-together at Christmas, possibly in a large group, Pletz recommends "regular airing".
Because: "Many do not feel sick at all, although they still excrete viruses".
According to
zusammengegencorona.de
, it would be enough to ventilate for just a few minutes in winter.
The window should not only be tilted, but set to ventilate intermittently or crossways.
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Basic tips for protection against RSV, influenza and corona before Christmas
If you cough or sneeze, it still makes sense to do this in the crook of your arm.
Regular and thorough washing of hands is still recommended.
This significantly reduces the germ load on the hands.
When guests enter the host's house, the first step should be towards the bathroom.
Just in time for Christmas, the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) reminds you again what is extremely important when washing your hands.
So, soaping and rinsing should take at least 20 seconds.
The remembering rule: The corresponding processes should take about as long as twice "Happy Birthday to you" sums.
Adapted to Christmas, this can easily be replaced with "Your children are coming".
However, vaccinations remain the most effective protection against infections with severe courses.
So far, none are available against RSV and rhinoviruses.
There are corresponding vaccines against the corona virus and influenza that can be used before Christmas.
However, it takes about two weeks for the respective vaccination protection to develop optimally.
Shortly before Christmas 2022, this is of course no longer possible.
But it would still be worthwhile to close any vaccination gaps.
The flu wave, which has already claimed ten lives in Lower Saxony, would only pick up speed.
Influenza vaccinations also make sense for children - because vulnerable people in the family are also protected
According to Mathias Pletz, a flu vaccination can also be useful for children.
“On the one hand, influenza is by no means harmless, especially for small children, as the current situation impressively shows.
On the other hand, children excrete the virus for much longer,” says the infectiologist.
And if the children are vaccinated against the flu, that would also protect the grandparents or other vulnerable people in the family.
On top of that, vaccinations could be worthwhile in several ways, because: "There are non-specific vaccination effects that come up again and again in studies.
For example, shortly after an influenza vaccination, the probability of severe corona courses decreases," says Pletz.
The assumption of science is generally the following: The immune system is trained to the extent that better protection against other pathogens develops.
Even if this protection is not perfect or long-lasting.
