Zur derzeitigen Bedeutung der Infektionskrankheiten

During the last two centuries hundreds of infectious agents have been discovered. The epidemiological situation of the most important infectious diseases in Germany has changed significantly during the last ten years. A sharp decrease has been observed concerning Hepatitis A- and B-incidence and a moderate one in Hepatitis C and tuberculosis frequency, whereas measles and Hepatitis E-incidence showed a dramatic increase. In this article public health measures – e.g. chemoprophylaxis and vaccinations – for the control of infectious diseases are discussed using the recommendations of the permanent commission on vaccinations at the German Robert Koch Institute.