The term "flu" is commonly used to refer to all kinds of acute diseases of the upper respiratory tract. However, the extent of a "classic" influenza epidemic is unknown to most of the population. The WHO and the vast majority of experts believe that an increased incidence of influenza can already be expected in [...]

Vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) infections was added to the vaccination calendar in 2007. Infection with HPV that causes uterine cancer is transmitted through sexual intercourse. Over the course of a lifetime, approximately 70% of sexually active women become infected with HPV. In the majority of infected young women (70-90%), the body's immune [...]

The bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause a variety of clinical pictures and was the most common causative agent of purulent meningitis until the introduction of vaccination. The peak incidence of Hib meningitis is in the first two years of life, with infants more likely to become ill by 6 months of age. [...]

Rabies is widespread throughout much of the world. Germany is one of the European countries where systematic control, especially oral immunization of foxes as the main virus carriers, has almost completely eradicated rabies in wild and domestic animals. In Eastern Europe and other parts of the world, however, rabies in wild and domestic animals [...]

The hepatitis A virus (HAV), which causes inflammation of the liver, is excreted in the stool of sick people. Infection usually occurs through contaminated food (e.g., shellfish from sewage-contaminated coastal waters) or contaminated drinking water. Fecal-oral transmission can also occur through close contact with already infected persons (smear infection!). Excretion in the stool is [...]

Hepatitis B disease is widespread worldwide, with a comparatively low prevalence in the Federal Republic of Germany. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted mainly through unprotected sexual intercourse, contact with infected blood (e.g., intravenous drug use, tattooing under non-hygienic conditions, in the medical field), and from infected mother to child during childbirth. Many cases of [...]

Meningococcal disease occurs worldwide. In Europe and North America, there is an accumulation in winter and spring. Disease can occur at any age. The peaks of the disease are found in infancy, childhood and adolescence. Meningococci can be detected in the nasopharynx in about 5 to 10% of the population. For reasons still unknown, [...]

Pneumococci are bacterial pathogens that can lead to dreaded inflammatory diseases of the meninges (bacterial meningitis) and the lungs (bacterial pneumonia). Inflammations of the middle ear (otitis media) and the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis) are also frequently caused by this pathogen. Infection occurs as droplet infection. Treatment of pneumococcal disease is complicated by the increase [...]