2023-09-10 14:58:00
Gießener AllgemeineGießen
Susanne Herold does not expect masks to be part of the cityscape again any time soon. © Oliver Schepp
It was quiet about Corona for a long time. However, mutations are currently causing a renewed increase in infections. With a view to autumn, experts are also warning about the flu and the RS virus.
Giessen – For around three years, the Giessen and Marburg University Hospital has been publishing the current number of patients who have been infected with Corona every day. During the peak phase of the pandemic, these numbers temporarily jumped into the three-digit range. A lot has happened since then. Nobody talks about incidences anymore, the WHO has officially declared the pandemic over, and at the UKGM the number of infected people was recently often less than three. But that is currently changing.
On Wednesday, the UKGM cared for twelve corona patients. However, these people are largely not treated for Corona. Rather, the infections were discovered during the treatment of other illnesses or injuries. This is pointed out by Susanne Herold, Professor of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Experimental Pulmonology and Head of the Clinic for Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene at the UKGM. “But even if we cannot measure the incidence due to a lack of screening, it is clear that infections will continue to rise in the fall.”
Herold is not alone with this assessment. Many corona experts are currently expecting an increase in infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) also warns against this, at least in the northern hemisphere. According to Herold, the reason for this is mainly new mutations such as BA.2.86 or Eris. »These are descendants of the omicron variants. However, there is not much difference in the severity of the illnesses.«
New corona mutations: “Particularly applies to risk groups”
What also unites the new mutations is their immune escape behavior. “They elude to some extent the antibody-mediated immunity that we have built up against other variants,” says Herold. This is also the reason why it is advisable for some people to have the adapted vaccines administered again. “This is particularly true for risk groups,” says the infectiologist, agreeing with Stiko’s recommendation. Herold also advises employees of nursing homes and hospitals to be vaccinated. “I’ll refresh mine too, after all I don’t want to endanger my patients.”
But even if the new variants are largely “immune volatile” against the antibodies from previous vaccinations, the immunity built up in the human population through repeated vaccinations and infections has great advantages, as Herold emphasizes. “Our immune system can now deal with the virus much better.” This means that severe cases occur less and less frequently.
Ideal conditions for viruses in the cold season
Mild sales can therefore usually be expected for the new variants. “But mild can also mean that you have to lie in bed for two weeks.” But this immunity is noticeable in another area. “The more severely you become ill with Covid, the more likely it is to develop long-Covid phenomena afterwards.” Since a vaccination cannot always prevent an infection, but can usually prevent severe disease progression, a vaccination also reduces the risk of long-term symptoms .
In the cold season, viruses have ideal conditions to spread. Experts expect three waves of illness this year. In addition to corona and influenza viruses, also with infections of the RS virus. The latter is primarily known for infections in small children, but it can also affect adults and can be particularly dangerous in high-risk patients, says Herold. “Fortunately, a vaccine has been approved this year, but so far only for adults.” The doctor therefore advises people with previous illnesses and seniors to have all three vaccinations, i.e. against COVID-19, influenza and, in certain cases, against RSV infection.
Now also vaccination against RSV virus
Corona had long disappeared from people’s minds. The new developments are likely to cause many Giessen residents to roll their eyes. However, there is no reason to panic, emphasizes Herold. “Because of the widespread immunity, we will probably not experience such steep waves and less severe infections as in previous seasons.”
In the expert’s eyes, face masks will not make a comeback on German streets either. “Masks may be necessary in individual cases, for example in care facilities or in companies where there have been outbreaks,” says Herold and adds: “But I don’t think that we will see a general requirement to wear masks again in all of public life. « (Christoph Hoffmann)
1694397145
#viruses