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Review
. 2021;169(11):1072-1074.
doi: 10.1007/s00112-021-01278-7. Epub 2021 Aug 17.

[Prevention of infections by influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus after removal of the lockdown measures]

[Article in German]
Hans-Iko Huppertz  1 , Matthias V Kopp  2 , Johannes Hübner  3
Affiliations
Review

[Prevention of infections by influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus after removal of the lockdown measures]

[Article in German]
Hans-Iko Huppertz et al. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd. 2021.

Abstract
in English, German

There have recently been reports of unusual outbreaks of respiratory infections in children due to influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the summer in the southern hemisphere. This phenomenon is attributed to the termination of the drastic hygiene measures to contain the pandemic triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The affected children were much older than anticipated. Coincident with the end of the present lockdown in summer, a similar situation could develop in Germany. Physicians and hospitals should be alerted to such a possibility. Interseasonal vaccines are not available for influenza but passive immunization against RSV could help to protect infants for whom appropriate indications exist according to the guidelines.

In jüngster Zeit sind Berichte zu lesen, in denen das ungewöhnliche Auftreten respiratorischer Infektionen bei Kindern, verursacht durch das Influenza- und respiratorische Synzytialvirus (RSV), während des Sommers in der südlichen Erdhalbkugel beschrieben wird. Dieses Phänomen wird mit dem Ende der einschneidenden Hygienemaßnahmen zur Eindämmung der durch die „coronavirus disease 2019“ (COVID-19) ausgelösten Pandemie in Zusammenhang gebracht. Die betroffenen Kinder waren deutlich älter als erwartet. Mit dem Ende des Lockdowns im Sommer könnte sich eine ähnliche Situation auch in Deutschland entwickeln. Ärzte und Krankenhäuser sollten mit dieser Möglichkeit rechnen. Während intersaisonale Impfstoffe für Influenza nicht bereitstehen, könnte die passive Immunisierung gegen das RSV den Säuglingen helfen, bei denen gemäß Leitlinie eine diesbzügliche Indikation besteht.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Hygiene; Passive immunization; Respiratory infections; Vaccination.

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