Flu: get vaccinated now!
All content is checked by medical journalists.MunichEvery year a wave of flu spills over Germany.After the comparatively harmless last flu season of 2013/2014, experts fear a strong flu winter this year. The best time to get a flu shot is from October to November, so now.
The flu can be difficult for anyone with a weakened immune system. That is why the Robert Koch Institute recommends that the so-called “risk groups” in particular get vaccinated this year. In addition to the chronically ill (e.g. diabetics) and the elderly, this also includes pregnant women.
But not all expectant mothers know that, 30 percent said in surveys that they did not know the vaccination recommendation for them. "During pregnancy, the immune defense is less active, so that pregnant women are more susceptible to infections and the risk of severe flu courses increases," says Elisabeth Pott, Director of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA). This also protects the child against the flu at birth. However, many pregnant women have reservations about the vaccination, which is why the experts call on doctors to better educate this target group about the risks and benefits of a flu vaccination.
Enough vaccine at the start
The start of the vaccination season can be relatively smooth this year. Unlike in other years, the responsible Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) has already released 15 million vaccine doses. This could happen so quickly this year because the composition of the vaccine has not changed from the previous year. Nevertheless, another vaccination makes sense, because the effect will probably only last for one season, say experts. After the little prick or the immunization via nasal spray, the vaccination protection is built up within ten to fourteen days.
Difficult times for the immune system
If the temperatures drop outside, the risk of catching the flu virus increases. The reason: the pathogens love dry air. They can be found in heated rooms, but cold winter air can also absorb less moisture than warm air and is therefore beneficial for flu viruses. In addition, the body has less blood flow when it is cold. This makes it harder for the immune system to catch the viruses. Once they have increased, the typical symptoms of the flu appear: sudden high fever, headache, fatigue, aching limbs and a strong cough. While a cold is usually over after a week, a real flu can drag on much longer. Enough time for bacteria to attack the weakened mucous membranes and cause complications, for example in the form of pneumonia. Many people die every year as a result.
Report flu cases
In order to get an even quicker picture of the flu dynamics, the RKI launched "GrippeWeb" in 2011. Anyone who wants to take part can register on the website and will then be asked about their state of health once a week. The reported respiratory diseases are included in the assessment of the current flu situation. (lh)
Source: Press release from the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA): Use options to protect yourself against influenza (accessed on October 2nd, 2014)
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