The Oktoberfest flu: What is behind it and how do I protect myself?

On September 21, the annual Oktoberfest in Munich, which invites millions of people, starts celebrating together in the beer tent and experiencing Bavarian culture. But there are also unloaded guests. Folk festivals are a paradise for cold germs. Many people gather in a confined space, distance is hardly kept here. It is celebrated and sung a lot. This offers ideal conditions for pathogens that are transmitted through the air. Shortly before the end of the folk festival, many marquee visitors complain about cold symptoms. The "Oktoberfest flu" is popularly called. If you have just celebrated in the beer tent, if you are unlucky, the next day with cough, fever and runny nose in bed. But what is behind the Oktoberfest flu and how can you protect yourself from it? In this article you will find out everything you need to know about the phenomenon of meadow flu, how you can actively protect yourself and what you can do specifically if it is still caught.

What exactly is the Oktoberfest flu?

The Oktoberfest flu is not a medical diagnosis. Colloquially, a cold or flu infection is meant here that occurs after a visit to the festival. Means that the Oktoberfest flu is a classic virus infection that occurs particularly often in the Oktoberfest. But what conditions ensure that this virus quickly spread?

Large crowds: There are more than 7 million visitors from all over the world at the Oktoberfest. It can sometimes be very tight on the marquee area and especially in the tents. Especially when it comes to the later evening hours, the tents are getting fuller. Close physical contact is inevitable here. It is also very loud in the marquee, which is why a lot is screamed and many viruses are distributed in the air. In tents, it cannot be ventilated, which means that pathogens can spread more easily and are absorbed by other marquee visitors.

Weakened immune system: Around 6 to 7 million dimensions are served at the Oktoberfest. On average, a person drinks 2 to 3 measurement beer on the Oktoberfest. For some it is more with some less. But this is clear that the beer at the Oktoberfest is a lot stronger than conventional beer from the supermarket. The immune system is negatively influenced by alcohol consumption. Alcohol weakens the immune system and therefore makes us a lot more susceptible to infect us.

Change of temperature: The Oktoberfest starts in a warm month, September. It may be that the temperatures are very high during the day, but they drop in the evening. This temperature difference can lead to guests to cool down quickly and thereby occur illness symptoms. In addition, it is getting fuller and more warmer in the marquee with increasing number of visitors and accordingly. Many visitors do without a clothing that corresponds to the temperatures, leave the tent sweaty and run home without a jacket. This can be extreme stressful for the body and make it more susceptible to colds.

stress: If the body is also stressed, be it due to lack of sleep or a lot of movement it is also more susceptible to pathogens.

Wiesn flu or something else?

The symptoms of the Oktoberfest flu resemble classic signs of other diseases. These include runny nose, cough, fever, neck, headache and body aches. However, more can hide behind the undesirable Oktoberfest flu.

A cold: Between the Oktoberfest visit and noticing the disease can be 2 to 4 days. Affected people complain cough, runny nose and sore throat.

corona: Corona is still an issue in Germany, especially according to which the number of infections have increased significantly in recent weeks. Anyone can infect themselves, whether vaccinated or unadulterated. The course depends on the individual defense of the sick person. The course can be heavier in the case of immunocompromised persons. Test So you find out as soon as you determine the first cold symptoms and visit a doctor if necessary.

flu: If you are unlucky, get the "real" flu. This manifests itself after just a few hours and triggers high fever, limbs and headaches, as well as chills. Compared to a classic cold, the symptoms are more difficult, heavier and affect the whole body.

In most cases, developing at the Oktoberfest flu is harmless. However, if you infect one of the other diseases, the course can sometimes be worse. People with a weakened immune system or people of a older age should be careful, since these groups of people from a Oktoberfest flu can develop further diseases, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

How can you effectively protect yourself from the meadow flu?

For people who want to visit the Oktoberfest and want to protect themselves from an infection as much as possible, there are some measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of infection. Even if the contact with viruses cannot be avoided completely, you can consciously pay attention to small things that make infection less likely.

Observe hygiene: By washing your hands regularly and disinfect Avoid that fours and germs that are on their hands are absorbed through the mucous membranes. Especially if you plan to use the food stalls, you should pay attention to good hand hygiene.

Alcohol: Since alcohol weakens the immune system and makes it more susceptible to pathogens, you should keep your alcohol consumption in moderation. This not only has the advantage just mentioned, but is also advantageous for general health.

Adequate clothing: Be sure to get dressed warm enough and protect the neck and cleavage sufficiently as soon as the temperatures drop. You make a significant contribution to your health if it gets colder and windier at night.

Strengthen the immune defense: Due to falling temperatures, cold and moisture, the body can be more susceptible to disease viruses. However, you can do a few things to strengthen your immune defense and prevent a cold.

• Take enough zinc and vitamin C. Foods that are rich in zinc, for example, represent cheese, fish, seafood, nuts and oatmeal. Vitamin C is located in citrus fruits, broccoli, fennel or paprika.

• In addition, you should make sure to integrate enough movement into your everyday life. Be it the digestive walk after lunch or an evening walk with the dog. The movement and fresh air strengthens our immune system.

• Sufficient sleep is the key to a strong immune system. The importance of a relaxing sleep is often underestimated. The body goes through while we sleep various regeneration processes that strengthen us for the next day. The better we sleep, the more robust our immune system is structured.

• Regular tea drinking can also make a positive contribution to strengthening our defenses. Teas that can support us in defense are mint, ginger or lemon tea. If you still refine it with honey, you help your body build defenses and actively counteract cold viruses. 

But what to do if you still infect yourself?

If you have the feeling that the Oktoberfest flu is on the move after your visit to the Oktoberfest, you can take some measures to feel better quickly.

warmth: By swimming warmly, taking warm teas and getting dressed warmly, you support your body in recovery. The body needs a lot of energy when it is sick and by keeping it warm, an improvement will be improved faster.

Sleep: If you are sick, you should sleep a lot. The body regenerates when we sleep and heals us overnight, so to speak. By paying attention to enough sleep during the disease period, you can see an improvement after just a few days. In general, it is advisable to keep bed rest with an infection and protect the body. Avoid stress and do not do sports because this also costs the body energy and can bring secondary diseases.

Eat: Even if your appetite may pass if you are sick, you should make sure to take your painting times regularly. To support the body with an infection, you should consume warm dishes such as chicken soup or dishes with onions and ginger.

Drink: You should also consume a lot of liquid. It is best to do with teas such as ginger, mint or fennel tea.

Medication: In the event of an infection - be it a flu or a cold - there are many different drugs that accelerate the course of recovery and relieve possible pain. Starting with a nasal spray. This is suitable for freeing your nose. Do not take this more than three times a day. Although it opens the nose, the nasal wall dries out very strongly. It also has addiction potential, so you shouldn't take it permanently. If you have pain in the head, in the limbs or sinuses, the use of iBoProfen can remedy the situation. There are also various cold juices that can be taken before going to bed. These ensure a quiet sleep and better recovery during the night. However, they often contain alcohol, which makes them suitable for children or pregnant women. 

Stay healthy in the Oktoberfest

In conclusion, it can be stated that the Oktoberfest flu at the Oktoberfest is offered the perfect conditions to spread. If there is an infection, there are opportunities that help you optimally support your body in recovery. So you feel better in no time and get well again faster. During your Oktoberfest visit, you can do some companies to avoid infection with this unsightly souvenir and to enjoy the festival to the full extent and carefree. With this in mind, O´zapft is and stay healthy!