Respiratory diseases - RSV wave in Germany has begun according to the RKI
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the wave of RSV-related respiratory diseases has begun in Germany. The beginning is retroactively dated to the week starting November 20, as the RKI announced in its weekly report on acute respiratory diseases. RSV is the abbreviation for respiratory syncytial virus.
"Children under the age of two are particularly affected by hospitalization with RSV infection," writes the RKI on the current situation. According to the report, coronavirus infections and colds caused by rhinoviruses are also currently playing a role in Germany. A flu epidemic is not yet in sight.
Ventilation necessary in severe cases
Children usually get a runny nose and lose their appetite first when infected with RSV. The throat can become inflamed. "Coughing and sneezing follow, and a fever often occurs," writes the Federal Center for Health Education on its website. As a result, pneumonia, for example, is possible. In severe cases, ventilation may be necessary.
Last fall and winter, there was a severe wave of RSV in many countries. Many children were affected who had previously had no contact with the pathogen due to the coronavirus pandemic and the measures taken against it. Hospitals and pediatric practices were temporarily overloaded. German experts had expected a more normal wave again this winter.
Risk groups for severe cases of RSV include premature babies, children with pre-existing lung disease or heart defects, adults over 65 and people with an impaired immune system. In principle, you can fall ill with it at any age and become infected repeatedly. According to the RKI, the spread in the population was underestimated for a long time. An RSV reporting obligation is still relatively new.
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- The RKI also reported an increase in coronavirus infections and cold-related illnesses caused by rhinoviruses, in addition to RSV, during this period in Germany.
- Science and health experts are closely monitoring the progression of these diseases to develop appropriate interventions and preventive measures.
- In the face of rising RSV cases, parents of young children in Berlin and across Germany are advised to take necessary precautions, such as regular hand washing and ventilating rooms to reduce the spread of the virus.
- The German government and medical institutions are working diligently to ensure that hospitals and pediatric practices are well-equipped to handle an increase in RSV-related hospitalizations, as seen during recent winters.
- RKI's data showed that RSV infections are not only hazardous for children but also pose a potential threat to elderly individuals and those with underlying health conditions, like heart defects and lung disease.
- It is essential for people to stay updated on the official health guidelines and follow precautions, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and avoiding crowded places, to protect themselves and others from various viruses like RSV, coronavirus, and influenza.
- Germany, along with its European neighbors, is also keeping a watchful eye on the emerging new variants of the Coronavirus, including Omicron, and is preparing accordingly to counter any potential health crises.
Source: www.stern.de
