What can you do to protect yourself from infection?
As a general rule, the hygiene rules recommended to protect against infection with Covid-19 also protect against other respiratory pathogens. These include avoiding large gatherings of people in enclosed spaces, regularly ventilating rooms and following coughing and sneezing etiquette. You should wash your hands regularly and thoroughly and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. A healthy and vitamin-rich diet and regular exercise in the fresh air also contribute to a good basic constitution. Dry indoor air dries out the mucous membranes and further lowers the barrier for respiratory pathogens. Vaccinations help against some respiratory infections. Vaccinations should be up to date in accordance with the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO).
What is the best way to treat an infection and what should you do if you are ill?
In general, if you have a respiratory illness, you should avoid contact as much as possible for three to five days until your symptoms improve significantly - at least with people who have an increased risk of severe illness and are immunocompromised. This includes infants, older people with pre-existing conditions, immunocompromised people and pregnant women. Respiratory tract infections are caused by various pathogens that attack the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Viruses are usually the cause. These include, for example, cold viruses such as rhinoviruses or the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses (flu) or SARS-CoV2 (Covid-19). In the case of a viral infection, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract organs can be damaged in such a way that susceptibility to bacteria is increased. For example, depending on the type of bacteria, a simple cold can develop into sinusitis, bronchitis or, in rare cases, pneumonia, which may then require antibiotic treatment. Primarily, however, you should give your body plenty of rest, eat a vitamin-rich diet and drink enough. The symptoms can be alleviated with appropriate antipyretics or expectorants or with nasal decongestant drops.
What vaccination recommendations apply?
According to the Stiko recommendations, people over the age of 60 should refresh their vaccination protection against Covid-19 in the autumn with an mRNA or protein-based vaccine, as well as residents in care facilities and people in integration assistance with an increased risk of a severe course of the disease, people aged six months and older with an underlying illness, associated with an increased risk of a severe course of Covid, people of all ages with work-related contact with patients or residents in medical or care facilities, as well as family members and close contacts of people who do not develop a protective immune response after COVID-19 vaccination. For immunocompromised individuals in these indication groups who have already had a SARS-COV-2 infection in the current year, the annual COVID-19 vaccination in the fall is generally not necessary. Healthy adults under the age of 60 and healthy pregnant women with existing basic immunity are currently not recommended to receive annual booster vaccinations.
The flu vaccination applies to people aged 60 and over, chronically ill people of all ages and pregnant women as well as medical and nursing staff, residents of retirement and nursing homes and contact persons of certain risk groups. In addition, there is a vaccination recommendation for all people over 60 and special risk groups against pneumococci and for all people aged 75 and over and special risk groups over 60 against RS viruses.
How can flu and coronavirus be distinguished from a flu-like infection?
Colds, known as flu-like infections, are usually mild respiratory infections. The infection and irritation or damage to the mucous membranes by cold viruses and the onset of the body's immune defenses lead to symptoms such as a runny nose, cough or sore throat, and more rarely an elevated temperature or fever. The flu (influenza) can typically begin with an abrupt onset of fever and a distinct feeling of illness. Muscle aches and/or headaches and a dry cough may also occur. However, there are also atypical courses, especially in people with previous illnesses and weakened immune defenses. COVID-19 also causes various symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, such as a cold, cough and sore throat. Headaches and aching limbs, fever and shortness of breath can also occur. Gastrointestinal complaints are also possible.
What recommendations are there for athletes who have or have had an infection?
The immune system must be activated to fight off infection. This requires a lot of energy. That's why you feel weak and tired. You should therefore give your body a rest during this phase so that your body and immune system can focus fully on this task. If the body is exhausted too early, the immune system suffers, which can prolong the course of the illness and also lead to secondary illnesses, such as inflammation of the heart muscle or sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia. Moderate exercise can be useful if the symptoms are only mild. In the case of feverish infections, however, exercise should be absolutely taboo. A break of 14 days is recommended.
Why have the number of infections been at a relatively high level since the summer compared to previous years?
Acute respiratory illnesses (ARE) are currently at a comparatively high level and are mainly caused by rhinoviruses and SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the Department of Health has recorded an increased number of whooping cough cases in Baden-Württemberg this year. However, whooping cough occurs all year round with a peak in the cold season, i.e. in the fall and winter. The cause of the increase in whooping cough in 2024 may be better and increased diagnostics for respiratory diseases, vaccination gaps in booster vaccinations for adolescents and adults and also a catch-up effect from the pandemic period.
