Erkältungskrankheiten: Erkältung, Corona, Grippe – Saison der Infekte beginnt

In the season of respiratory infections, the great cough and sneeze returns with the arrival of autumn, according to Berit Lange, head of the Epidemiology Department at the Helmholtz-Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Braunschweig. The season has seen a mild increase in symptoms. Currently, mainly cold viruses are circulating, with rhinoviruses and parainfluenza viruses being the primary non-influenza viruses.

These viruses can be detected through wastewater monitoring, showing that schools have started in all federal states. Oktoberfest is also known for causing many infections. Mask-wearing can provide protection, especially when worn by those who are sick. Cold infections, often seen as harmless, can lead to hospitalization and intensive care for patients with compromised immune systems.

After cold viruses, the coronavirus typically spreads, with the Covid-19 wave possibly beginning in late summer. Gripes and RSV viruses are expected to play a more significant role as the season progresses into December and the following year. Predicting the season's severity and peak is relatively accurate for the next two to four weeks, but predicting the entire season's course and its high points is more challenging.

Viruses mutate slightly, sometimes creating variants that reproduce better, are more contagious, or are less recognized by the immune system. The season's course also depends on the number of people who get vaccinated, according to Lange. The effectiveness of vaccines varies; the current coronavirus vaccines protect well against new variants, while flu vaccines may not prepare the immune system as effectively if the viruses change rapidly.

South Hemisphere surveillance monitors circulating viruses and adjusts vaccines accordingly. The composition of vaccines currently aligns with what circulates in places like Australia. The Ständige Impfkommission (Stiko) recommends flu vaccines for people over 60, those with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women, and residents of care facilities.

A Covid-19 and RSV vaccine is recommended for those over 75 or younger individuals with underlying conditions. It takes about two weeks for the immune system to build protection, which lasts several months. The previous season in 2025/26 saw around 180 million respiratory infections, including influenza, Covid-19, RSV, rhinoviruses, and seasonal coronaviruses.

Small children averaged 4.6 acute respiratory infections, while adults over 60 had 1.3. Approximately 429,000 severe acute respiratory infections were treated in clinics across Germany, with around 22,700 deaths. The season was classified as moderate by the RKI.