Cold, corona, flu: RKI reports a lot of infections

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Experience has shown that the first cold weeks in autumn always cause a significant increase in infection cases

Photo: Daniel Ingold / Westend61 / IMAGO

Cough, runny nose, sore throat: The amount of virus in Germany is not only very large, but also statistically proven to be at a high level. And the trend is rising. According to a survey by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there were an estimated 8500 respiratory infections per 100,000 people in the week from 23 to 29 October. This is the highest value for this calendar week since the start of the data series in 2011. However, the numbers usually fluctuate greatly in autumn and winter. According to the RKI, the reason for the high value is not only the colds typical of the season, but also the "continuously increasing number" of corona infections since the beginning of July.

Samples mainly contain coronaviruses and rhinoviruses

According to the RKI, respiratory diseases led to 1.4 million visits to the doctor (1700 per 100,000 inhabitants) in the week of October. This number for the end of October is one of the highest in recent years. Samples sent to laboratories by doctors mainly contained coronaviruses and rhinoviruses, the latter of which are classic cold pathogens. The flu, on the other hand, is not yet spreading in Germany, according to the data.

According to the RKI, it is not possible to make a forecast for the rest of the season. This depends, among other things, on whether and when other pathogens such as the respiratory virus RSV or flu viruses are added and whether the viruses that have been circulating so far will then remain or will be replaced sooner.

"Experience has shown that the first cold weeks in autumn always cause a significant increase in cases of infection in our practices," said Markus Beier, Federal Chairman of the Association of General Practitioners. This time, there seems to be a particularly large number of respiratory infections, including Covid-19 cases, but also "classic" colds, he confirmed.

"Covid-19 often begins like other respiratory infections – such as a sore throat, runny nose or hoarseness," said Beier. "Fever, headaches or fatigue are also common. However, it is difficult to describe a typical course of Covid-19, as the course of the disease can vary greatly from case to case." According to the RKI, loss of smell or taste as at the beginning of the pandemic is no longer frequently observed. It warns: "Infected people can be contagious as early as one to two days before the onset of symptoms."

If you have an acute respiratory infection, you should stay at home

According to Beier, it is important to be careful with oneself and others and to take care of oneself at home "when you feel that you are getting sick". The RKI generally advises: "Anyone who has symptoms of an acute respiratory infection should stay at home for three to five days and until the symptoms have significantly improved."

Will there be more and more severe Covid-19 cases again? "All assessments currently point to the fact that although there are more infections again due to seasons and variants, there are hardly any changes in the severity of the disease," said Hajo Zeeb from the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology in Bremen. "Nevertheless, the following applies: more infections, more serious illnesses, because there is always a certain proportion that is not favorable."

"Corona is currently not the topic of intensive care units," reported Nina Meckel, spokeswoman for the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (Divi). "We are currently caring for more than 14,000 critically ill patients, including 749 patients with or because of Corona," she said at the beginning of November. In the same period last year, there were significantly more, but the number is currently rising.

With a view to the winter, Meckel referred to the relatively large number of older Covid intensive care patients. "That's why we strongly recommend that everyone over the age of 60 get a flu shot and get a booster of the Covid vaccination in consultation with their family doctor. We think that a mixture of many viral diseases will put a strain on intensive care units this winter."

The RKI advises people aged 60 and over, but also those with underlying conditions, to get vaccinated against the flu – from October to mid-December. According to the RKI, adults usually have basic immunity against Corona after three vaccinations or after two vaccinations and one infection. For people aged 60 and over or those who are at risk from a severe course of Covid-19, the RKI recommends further booster vaccinations twelve months after the last vaccination or illness - preferably in autumn. According to the Standing Committee on Vaccination, Covid-19 vaccinations are currently not necessary for healthy children and adolescents. It is possible to be vaccinated against Corona and flu at the same time.

wbr/dpa