The increase in acute respiratory diseases has reached a new high, with critical conditions in hospitals. Notable are the high numbers of RSV infections, which particularly severely affect children. Learn everything about the current situation in Germany and how you can protect yourself and those around you now here.
Rise in RSV Infections: How to Protect Yourself Now
RSV Situation in Germany: Hospital Conditions "Catastrophic"
Due to the massive spread of RSV in Germany, hospitals are currently at their limit. As the Kreiszeitung reports, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is particularly problematic for children. It causes severe respiratory diseases in them that can even require hospitalization.
Precisely these treatments are currently difficult to guarantee due to unusually high case numbers; many patients have to be turned away or are only provided with makeshift treatment. Currently, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), one third of all respiratory infections are due to RSV. More on this later. According to virologist Alexander Kekulé in his MDR podcast 'Kekulé's Corona Compass', adults become ill more easily and then transmit it to children. Since children's bronchi are smaller, they become more congested. In serious cases, this may require oxygen supplementation - such as in hospital. In the worst case, children can die from it.
Kekulé argues that Germany should have prepared itself in light of RSV developments in France that took place weeks earlier. There, an emergency plan had to be implemented due to high case numbers. Additionally, in Germany, there is the shortage of specialists on one hand. On the other hand, there is also the reduction of children's beds in clinics.
According to a survey by the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive and Emergency Medicine (DIVI) from December 1st, there were only 83 free beds in pediatric intensive care units throughout Germany.
Situation Expected to Worsen Further
Experts expect the situation to worsen in the coming weeks. While rising RSV numbers during winter are normal, due to Corona measures, the wave this year is unusually strong, according to Kekulé. A "catch-up effect" is emerging here. Due to protective measures, people came into contact with fewer pathogens, which is why immunity protection is less pronounced. This is why so many people are getting infected now.
While babies and toddlers often become infected in the first six months or at least in the first or second year of life, this did not happen during Corona. This is now being made up for. For children, the first infection is the worst, as Kreiszeitung quotes Isabella Eckerle, head of the Center for Novel Virus Diseases at the University Hospital Geneva. Therefore, many more children are now becoming particularly ill.
Current Disease Numbers Higher Than Before the Pandemic
As stated in the RKI report in week 48, the number of respiratory diseases increased again compared to the previous week. This means that the values reach a new peak and are even above the level of previous peak influenza wave levels from previous years. The number of doctor visits has also increased compared to the previous week and is also higher than in previous years during peak times of severe influenza waves. Learn more about influenza here.
In "263 (80%) of 329 sent sentinel samples [were] respiratory viruses identified, including 167 (51%) samples with influenza viruses, 50 (15%) with Respiratory Syncytial Viruses (RSV), 29 (9%) with rhinoviruses, 17 (5%) with human seasonal coronaviruses (hCoV), 13 (4%) with SARS-CoV-2, seven (2%) with parainfluenza viruses (PIV) and five (2%) with human metapneumoviruses (hMPV)", as stated in the report of the Working Group Influenza.
In general, the number of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) has remained stable but continues to be at a high level. "The proportion of patients hospitalized with a severe respiratory disease with an influenza diagnosis continues to rise and was 18% in week 48, the proportion with COVID-19 diagnoses was 9%. For 0 to 4-year-old SARI patients, the proportion of RSV diagnoses remained very high at 61%," it nevertheless states.
The RSV wave has been ongoing since week 41 and the influenza wave since week 43. But what to do now to protect yourself and those around you from infections? The 4in1 lay test helps here. It recognizes four different types of viruses, including RSV and Influenza A and B.
Solmira 4in1 Lay Test – Detects 4 Different Virus Infections
If you want to be safe in case of illness, you can use the Solmira 4in1 lay test. This detects four different viruses right away: Corona, Influenza A, B and RSV. Particularly these are currently causing high infection numbers. As mentioned, infections with the RS virus are particularly serious for children. For older people, for example, influenza or corona infections are more concerning.
All four viral pathogens are detected by this test with a sensitivity of over 90% and a specificity of 100%. Since it is a lay rapid test, no medical expertise is required. The test is ideal, for example, for employees because it is simple and fast for anyone to perform. It is also suitable for pharmacies as an offer to private individuals who want to be sure in case of illness and, for example, want to protect family and others.
With the 4in1 test, comprehensive protection against multiple types of viruses can be offered. This can also reduce the risk of infection. At parahealth, you can get it particularly cheaply.
Order Cheap and Fast Online
The Solmira 4in1 Lay Combo Test is available at parahealth for 2.19 € per test. Order now online and save. We convince through fast delivery, top quality and good customer service. With this test, more protection and faster and more targeted treatment can be contributed.
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