Flu season: This is the current situation in the country
In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is responsible for monitoring the epidemiological situation. In order to avoid overcrowded hospitals and to be able to react quickly if necessary, the RKI publishes a weekly report on the flu situation in the country every Wednesday during the flu season. The flu season runs from week 40 to week 20 of the following year.
The complete weekly report of week 41 can be found here > >
The current flu season started in October. The RKI already registered a sharp increase in respiratory diseases at the beginning of the season. In fact, the activity of acute respiratory diseases increased much more significantly than in the seasons before the corona pandemic. According to the RKI, one explanation for the sharp increase is the co-circulation of various pathogens. At the moment there are rhinoviruses that cause colds, influenza viruses that cause the real flu and of course the SARS-CoV-2 viruses that cause “corona”. However, the scientists at the RKI also warn that influenza viruses are currently on the rise.
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How long are you contagious with the flu?
During a strong flu season, the risk of contracting the influenza virus is much higher. Although measures such as
- flu shot
- Wearing a mask in tight, public situations
- regular hand washing
- hand disinfection
- refrain from shaking hands
- don’t touch your face with your hands
reduce the risk of infection, but there is no such thing as 100% protection against infection. If you or people close to you get it, the following applies: rest, fever reduction and bed rest.
Anyone infected with the flu virus is contagious almost immediately. It usually takes a day or two for the first symptoms to appear, but during this transition period you are already contagious. During the acute phase of the flu, when you have a fever, chills, muscle aches and headaches, you remain contagious. Doctors usually say that the flu contagious for about seven days remains. After that, the emission of viruses into the environment decreases. Depending on the course of the flu and the general constitution of one’s own immune system, the flu can also remain contagious for a few days longer. Once you’ve gotten out of the worst of it and feel well enough to participate in public life again, wear a mask in public as a precaution and for the sake of those around you.
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