Germany sniffles, coughs and has a fever. Around 6.1 million people are currently suffering from an acute respiratory disease, estimates the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in its current report. The flu epidemic has been going on since mid-December and the numbers have risen again compared to the previous week.
But it’s not just the classic respiratory pathogens Corona, influenza and RSV that are currently circulating. A lot of people are also becoming infected with gastrointestinal pathogens. More precisely: with the dreaded noroviruses.
More than twice as many norovirus cases as last year
The timing is fundamentally not surprising. Noroviruses have a peak season between October and March. What is surprising, however, is the number of cases. According to the RKI, 8,230 norovirus cases were reported in January of this year, compared to 3,947 in January of last year. The number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher. Because the RKI only records officially reported cases. However, a gastrointestinal infection is often cured at home without medical help.
Doubling the number of cases is not a reason for concern for the RKI. The individual weekly values “currently show the normal increase for the time of year,” explained RKI spokeswoman Susanne Glasmacher when asked by RND. “Compared to the pre-pandemic period, nothing unusual can be seen.” There were fewer infections during the pandemic – avoiding contact, masks and regular hand washing or disinfection play a role here.
Norovirus – these are the symptoms
Noroviruses are feared because they… The illness usually begins suddenly
severe diarrhea,
nausea and
gushing vomiting.
According to the BzGa, there is often a strong feeling of illness with abdominal and muscle pain, occasionally with a slight fever and headache. The severe vomiting diarrhea can also quickly lead to a lack of fluid in the body, which can trigger a pronounced feeling of weakness or dizziness. However, the symptoms usually subside completely after one or two days.
Norovirus – this is how the infection occurs
Noroviruses are highly contagious. This is why larger outbreaks often occur, especially in community facilities such as retirement homes, clinics, schools or kindergartens.
Infection with noroviruses usually occurs from person to person. The smallest traces of vomit or stool residue carry the germs onto food, drinks, surfaces and the hands. They then enter the mouth and from there into the digestive tract. Transmission through droplet infections is also possible. When a sick person vomits, droplets containing the virus enter the environment and can be inhaled by other people.
Foods that contain germs include in particular:
red meat eggs milk fish crabs mussels fruit and salads.
In addition, pathogens can occur in contaminated water. Toilets, door handles and fittings are also often contaminated.
Norovirus – how to protect yourself
Regular and thorough hand washing after using the toilet, before preparing food and before eating Carefully cooking vulnerable foods such as eggs, meat and fish Patients at risk and pregnant women should avoid raw milk products, raw meat and raw fish dishes such as sushi Regularly changing and cleaning tea towels , wipes, cutting boards, knives – especially after preparing meat. Pay attention to a seamless cold chain: store perishable foods in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible. Clean the surroundings of sick people, especially the bathroom and kitchen