Cold Season Autumn: Is the Flu Wave Returning to Germany?
The 2025/2026 flu season shows: Influenza is back. With a new virus variant (subclade K) and high case numbers, flu is once again shaping the autumn and winter months in Germany. Experts emphasize the importance of vaccinations and protective measures for vulnerable groups. Learn everything about seasonal influenza, the current situation in Germany, and how best to protect yourself and others here.
Influenza: The Seasonal Infectious Disease>
Dry cough, high fever, and severe headaches and body aches: these are classic symptoms of the flu. Unlike simple colds – caused by rhinoviruses, for example – influenza affects the entire body. Symptoms usually develop quickly and severely. As a rule, they improve significantly within a week.
Flu viruses are distributed worldwide, as the German Ministry of Health explains on its website about influenza. In Germany, flu season occurs during winter months. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the main season typically runs between calendar week 40 (early October) and calendar week 20 (mid-May).
Transmission occurs via droplet infection, i.e., through droplets when coughing, sneezing, or talking. The risk of infection is particularly high in areas with large crowds.
The flu poses a greater health risk especially for older individuals.
The duration and severity of an illness depends on the person's physical condition, the characteristics of the pathogen, and the affected individual's immune response, the Health Ministry explains. This means that vulnerable groups in particular face increased health risks. "Seniors, pregnant women, and people with chronic underlying conditions have a higher risk for severe flu," summarizes the Health Ministry. Therefore, these groups especially should consult a doctor when ill.
Influenza A and B - Different Subtypes>
With influenza, several subtypes are distinguished. These have different impacts on flu waves.
Influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, occurs seasonally in Germany. Influenza A (H3N2) particularly affects older individuals in severe cases – as has been observed in the past. According to the RKI, Influenza A(H3N2) with a new variant (subclade K), which shows reduced reactivity to previous seasonal vaccines, dominates the 2025/2026 season.
Influenza B viruses are responsible for longer flu waves. Two lineages must be distinguished: The Yamagata lineage and the Victoria lineage. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, very few infections with the Yamagata lineage have been detected worldwide; the Victoria lineage dominates among B-type viruses.
Influenza viruses spread particularly during colder months.
Flu Season 2025/2026 - Current Situation>
The 2025/2026 flu wave began in calendar week 48 (November 2025) and showed particularly high case numbers in January and February 2026. The peak appears to have been reached in calendar week 5, 2026. The main reason for the high case numbers is the new influenza variant (subclade K), which has dominated since the start of the flu wave.
Since the beginning of this year's flu season, the RKI's Influenza Working Group has recorded an increase in the number of acute respiratory infections (ARI).
The increase is concerning to policymakers and experts, as additional factors such as low immunization rates in certain population groups must be considered. This makes it all the more important to protect yourself and especially vulnerable groups during this time.
How Best to Protect Yourself Against the Flu?>
A flu vaccination offers the best protection against infection, according to experts.
The flu vaccine is, according to the RKI, the Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO), and the German Ministry of Health, the proven protection against infection. Vaccination is especially recommended for vulnerable groups – older individuals 60 and above, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses – as well as for medical and nursing personnel. Additionally, maintaining well-known hygiene measures (maintaining distance, practicing hygiene, wearing a mask when needed, regular ventilation) remains useful. Individuals with disease symptoms should preventively distance themselves from members of vulnerable groups.
Should disease symptoms still occur, an infection can easily be confirmed with a rapid test. With a combo test, infections with both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B can be detected. You get the result in just 15 minutes – and can initiate appropriate treatment measures depending on the outcome. At parahealth, these tests are inexpensive and quick, available as either professional or lay-person tests.
Shop Online at parahealth>
You'll find rapid tests and combo tests for flu and COVID-19 in our online shop. Order online now and save. We convince with fast delivery, top quality, and good customer service. These tests can help contribute to greater safety and faster, more targeted treatment.
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