Heavy flu wave meets children in Kassel - clinics at the limit!

Heavy flu wave meets children in Kassel - clinics at the limit!

The current flu wave has a firm grip on Kassel, with children in particular being badly affected. According to a report of the Hessische/Lower Saxony General reports the emergency center in the Kassel clinic until the beginning of the week. Despite a slight decline in cases in the past three days, there is still a tense situation in children's clinics.

In the children's clinic, between 10 and 15 children with influenza are recorded every day, with the courses in some cases difficult and neurological participations are also difficult. The Kassel Health Department refers to a doubling of the influenza cases from 106 in 2023 to 225 in 2025. These figures reflect the general increase in severe flu processes that have been observed since the beginning of the year.

difficult courses and recommendation for vaccination

The flu currently meets children in the first five to eight years of life. A report by the Tagesschau it often happens that entire families are affected by the flu. In the first days of February, the situation presented itself alarming: About five times as many children were admitted to large children's clinics compared to January. Due to the increase in severe courses, patients often have to be transferred to other cities, since the bed capacity in the facilities are scarce.

The symptoms in children and adolescents are complex and include headache and sore throat, cough, fever and diarrhea in smaller children. The duration of the illness can be up to two weeks with young people and for up to a week with young children. Also the Frankfurter Rundschau reports in certain cases such as breath short or high fever, rapid medical advice should.

RSV infections and general diseases

In addition, the increase in RSV infections in children aged two to five years is also noteworthy, even if the total number remains below last season. According to reports, atypical pneumonia, which, however, are not clearly connected to influenza are also increased. 176 such cases were registered by February 19, and there is hope that the flu wave is gradually flattening.

The pediatrician Thomas Lenz notes that there is currently no increase in cases compared to previous years and speaks of a normal flu season. Nevertheless, both pediatricians and adolescents and the constant vaccination commission (STIKO) recommend flu vaccination for children, even without risk factors to protect themselves as best as possible. This recommendation finds a tailwind through the statements of Tobias Tenenbaum, which describes a strong flu wave as chairman of the German Society for Pediatric Infectiology (DGPI).

The general situation requires increased sensitization of parents for the symptoms and possible complications. Measures to avoid infection, such as avoiding contact, healthy nutrition and hygiene measures, still make sense to contain the spread of the virus.