Erkältungswelle (f)

[ɛɐ̯ˈkɛltʊŋsvɛlə]

An Erkältungswelle is a seasonal surge in common cold infections spreading through a population, most often in autumn or winter. Depending on whether the context is everyday speech, journalism, or public health, English speakers reach for different equivalents.

1. wave of colds

The most natural literal equivalent, widely used in everyday speech and journalistic writing.

In der dritten Januarwoche erfasste eine Erkältungswelle die gesamte Schule.
In the third week of January, a wave of colds swept through the entire school.
Die diesjährige Erkältungswelle trifft Kleinkinder und ältere Menschen besonders hart.
This year's wave of colds is hitting toddlers and older adults particularly hard.
Nach den Herbstferien rollt meist die erste Erkältungswelle durch die Büros.
After the autumn half-term, the first wave of colds typically rolls through the offices.

2. cold outbreak [technical] · medical

Preferred in public health reports and epidemiological contexts, where 'outbreak' signals a documented and tracked cluster of cases.

Das Gesundheitsamt verzeichnete eine Erkältungswelle mit über 3.000 Fällen innerhalb einer Woche.
The public health office recorded a cold outbreak exceeding 3,000 cases within a single week.
Die Erkältungswelle verlief in diesem Jahr glimpflicher als im Vorjahr.
The cold outbreak was less severe this year than it had been the year before.

Notes

Avoid the literal calque 'cold wave': in English this refers to a sudden drop in air temperature, a weather event, not an illness surge. Using it for a run of common colds will confuse native speakers. Stick to 'wave of colds', 'cold outbreak', or 'surge in cold cases' instead.

Synonyms

Erkältungssaison Erkältungszeit

Related phrases

Erkältung Grippewelle Infektionswelle Atemwegserkrankung Erkältungsvirus Erkältungssaison