Overview

• German doctors issue early‑season advice to reduce transmission with thorough handwashing for at least 20 seconds, proper cough and sneeze etiquette, and regular ventilation of indoor spaces.
• Vaccination is recommended for people at higher risk of severe disease, with pneumococcal shots advised for those with chronic conditions or age‑related immune weakness, according to family physician Markus Frühwein.
• People are urged to seek medical evaluation for persistent weakness, fever that lasts beyond four days, worsening symptoms, or temperatures above 39°C, with earlier contact advised for high‑risk patients.
• Experts recommend no sport during an acute infection and advise avoiding high‑intensity training for up to two weeks after recovery to prevent complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or myocarditis.
• This seasonal guidance addresses multiple respiratory threats, including influenza, RSV, Covid‑19 and pneumococci, and notes that while zinc is commonly used, evidence for products like Umckaloabo is limited.