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Graphic representation of the human digestive system| Focus on small intestine
Image: Matthieu Louis/Depositphotos/IMAGO

Intestine

The gut plays a key role in digestion and the immune system. Trillions of bacteria form a complex microbiome there.

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All Content on this topic

A passenger arrives from New Zealand after the Trans-Tasman travel bubble opened overnight

New Zealand to reopen for vaccinated travelers in April

New Zealand will reopen its borders in stages over time. Follow DW for more.
HealthNovember 24, 2021
Empty streets of Vienna, with a man and boy seen walking down the road, November 15, 2021

COVID: Austria enters nationwide lockdown

Austrians went back into lockdown after fierce protests over the weekend. DW has the latest.
HealthNovember 22, 2021
Police officers stand guard as demonstrators gather to protest against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures in Vienna

Coronavirus: Anti-lockdown protests underway in Austria

Austrians are preparing to protest against the government's imposition of a full lockdown. DW has the latest.
HealthNovember 20, 2021
A medic tests a woman for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 during nationwide testing in Bratislava, Slovakia

COVID digest: Unvaccinated face stricter measures in Europe

Slovakia, Greece and the Czech Republic have all moved toward variations of a "lockdown for the unvaccinated."
HealthNovember 18, 2021
Oberhausen Christmas market, Germany

Unvaccinated banned from some German Christmas markets

Hamburg has introduced tougher restrictions, while Munich's Christkindlmarkt has been ditched. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthNovember 17, 2021
Syringe on US dollars

Vaccine makers earn billions as poor countries struggle

Pharma giants earn millions from jabs but leave poorer countries in the lurch, activists say. DW has the latest.
HealthNovember 16, 2021
People line up in front of a vaccination bus of a mobile corona vaccination team, waiting to get their Covid-19 vaccination on the Marienplatz in Stuttgart, southern Germany

COVID digest: Germany considers partial mandatory vaccines

German lawmakers are considering a raft of new measures to curb the surge in infections. DW has the latest.
HealthNovember 15, 2021
Chairs and tables line up in front of a cafe in Vienna, Austria

COVID digest: Austria approves lockdown for unvaccinated

Plus, Morocco begins COVID tests for people arriving at airports. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthNovember 14, 2021
A COVID test center in Essen city

Coronavirus digest: Germany reintroduces free COVID tests

The move is part of measures to hit the brakes on a wave of new infections. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthNovember 13, 2021
Gesunde Ernährung G-20 Führung entscheidend Ernährung Weltbevölkerung Gesundheit

Eating raw fruit & vegetables

How healthy is a diet rich in raw fruit and vegetables?
HealthNovember 12, 202101:54 min
Austrians waiting for a train

COVID digest: Austria to 'tighten screws' on unvaccinated

Austria is set to impose a lockdown on unvaccinated people in the coming days as the country struggles with a new wave.
HealthNovember 12, 2021
A coronavirus patient in the hospital in eastern Germany

Germany reports new record-high number of COVID cases

Germany's public health body said the country has recorded over 50,000 new COVID cases within the past 24 hours.
HealthNovember 11, 2021
A health worker administer a dose of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine in France

France tightens vaccine restrictions on the elderly

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that people over 65 years old will soon need a booster jab.
HealthNovember 10, 2021
Coronavirus test in Gauda Festival

Global COVID-19 cases surge past 250 million

Europe has the highest number of COVID infections while Germany's incidence rate hit a new record. Follow DW for more.
HealthNovember 9, 2021
Van Morrison pictured on stage in 2020

Coronavirus: N. Ireland's minister sues famous singer

Singer Van Morrison faces a lawsuit after calling out North Ireland's Health Minister Robin Swann. DW has the latest.
HealthNovember 8, 2021
A silhouette of a COVID swab and two people

Coronavirus digest: Calls grow for COVID tests in Germany

Experts have called for the reintroduction of free tests as Germany struggles with a COVID surge. DW has the latest.
HealthNovember 7, 2021
A cafe in Austria, closed during a lockdown in Spring 2021

Coronavirus: Austria adds restrictions for unvaccinated

Starting Monday, Austria will ban unvaccinated patrons from visiting pubs, restaurants and events. DW has the latest.
HealthNovember 6, 2021
people sit outside next to each other in a bar in Germany

Coronavirus digest: Europe 'back at epicenter,' says WHO

Relaxed prevention measures and low vaccination rates in some areas explain the latest surge, the WHO Europe chief says.
HealthNovember 4, 2021
Vaccine program for children in the United States

COVID digest: US gives vaccine approval for children 5 to 11

US President Joe Biden hopes to have the program up and running within days. DW has the latest.
HealthNovember 3, 2021
Some of the old rules are back in the Netherlands, amid rising case rates

Coronavirus digest: Netherlands reintroduces COVID curbs

The Netherlands retightens measures in light of climbing case numbers and hospitalizations. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthNovember 2, 2021
German Health Minister Jens Spahn

German health minister calls to reopen vaccine centers

German Health Minister Jens Spahn has called on states to reopen vaccination centers. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthNovember 1, 2021
Daily Life In Singapore Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus digest: Singapore probes 'unusual' case surge

Elsewhere, New Zealand is making it easier for citizens to return home but tourists must wait. All the latest with DW.
HealthOctober 28, 2021
A young boy receiving a BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine in Michigan

Coronavirus digest: FDA panel backs vaccine for children

The US is on the way to becoming one of the first countries to approve vaccines for pre-teens. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 27, 2021
n this Wednesday, July 28, 2021 file photo, a health worker administers a dose of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine by Johnson & Johnson

COVID digest: Africa gets 100 million Moderna vaccine doses

The African Union has secured over 100 million vaccine doses with partial US help. Follow DW for more.
HealthOctober 26, 2021
Travelers at JFK Airport in New York

COVID digest: US releases new travel guidelines

The US is set to welcome international travelers who are fully vaccinated as of November 8. Follow DW for more.
HealthOctober 25, 2021
Demonstrators with protective suits and masks protest against the government restrictive measures

COVID digest: Austria warns of lockdown for unvaccinated

Unvaccinated Austrians could be locked down if pressure on intensive care beds worsens. Follow DW for more.
HealthOctober 23, 2021
Vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared for packaging

BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine shows 90% efficacy in children

BioNTech and Pfizer said their vaccine is highly effective among children aged 5-11-years.  Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 22, 2021
A person walks down Flinders Street in Melbourne

COVID digest: Melbourne to lift world's longest lockdown

Australia's second-largest city is expected to see freedom despite an increse in cases. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 21, 2021
A nurse shows a teenager the dose of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine during a vaccination day.

Germany likely to miss vaccine donation goal

Germany may miss a target to donate 100 million coronavirus vaccine doses this year, as per a report. DW has the latest.
HealthOctober 20, 2021
A file photo showing Scandinavian airline SAS aircrafts.

Coronavirus digest: Scandinavian airlines lift mask mandates

Four Scandinavian airlines have abolished mask requirements for regional trips. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 18, 2021
Worshippers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca pray shoulder to shoulder

Coronavirus: Grand Mosque drops social distancing

The Saudi government is allowing full-capacity attendance at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 17, 2021
Russian health care workers pictured in protective clothing at a hospital in Moscow

Coronavirus digest: Russia death toll reaches all-time high

More than 1,000 people have died in Russia over the past 24 hours due to COVID-19. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 16, 2021
Travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

COVID digest: US lifts restrictions for vaccinated travelers

The US has announced a date for ending COVID restrictions for all vaccinated travelers. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 15, 2021
A containment scout in protective clothing

Coronavirus: WHO unveils new team to probe pandemic

The team of 26 scientists is set to revive the stalled probe into the origins of the virus. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 14, 2021
Cars line up to cross into the US at the US/Canada border

US to reopen land borders with Canada and Mexico

The United States plans to reopen its land border with Canada for fully vaccinated travelers. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 13, 2021
Ambulances in London

COVID-19 digest: UK government had the 'wrong' approach

The UK was too slow to lock down, according to a report from a cross-party group of lawmakers. DW has the latest.
HealthOctober 12, 2021
Photo of Merck's molnupiravir oral anti-COVID-19 drug

Coronavirus digest: Merck seeks approval for COVID pill

Merck pharmaceutical seeks to get its COVID-19 pill cleared for emergency use. DW has the latest.
HealthOctober 11, 2021
A man receives a COVID-19 jab in Baggiovara, Italy

Coronavirus digest: Italy reaches vaccination target

Italy has hit its target of vaccinating 80% of adults against COVID-19 — one day after violent anti-vaccine protests.
HealthOctober 10, 2021
People receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic run by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

COVID: Biden says vaccine mandates 'lifesaving'

The US president has called on more businesses to require workers to receive the COVID-19 jab. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 8, 2021
An audience member undergoes a health check as part of preventative measures against the coronavirus before a performance by the North Korean National Acrobatic Troupe at the Pyongyang Circus Theater

WHO sending COVID aid to North Korea

The WHO says it is trying to ship essential COVID-19 medical supplies to North Korea. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthOctober 7, 2021
A high school student receives a COVID vaccine in Los Angeles

COVID digest: LA poised to start strict vaccine mandate

Authorities in Los Angeles are ready to enact one of the United States' toughest vaccine mandates. DW has the latest.
HealthOctober 6, 2021
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Coronavirus: New Zealand abandons 'zero-COVID' strategy

PM Jacinda Ardern said her aim was always to stamp out the virus effectively. Follow DW for all the latest on COVID.
HealthOctober 4, 2021
A federal police officer in the Munich International Airport checks the passport and documents of an arriving passenger

COVID: Germany expands high-risk areas to Romania, Lithuania

Romania and Lithuania have joined Slovenia as the only EU member states on Germany's high-risk list. DW has the latest.
HealthOctober 3, 2021
Two people sit in a Washington park near a sea of white flags

Coronavirus digest: US surpasses 700,000 COVID deaths

Meanwhile, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro has said unvaccinated travelers are not welcome.
HealthOctober 2, 2021
Sydney Airport

COVID digest: Australia to open overseas travel

Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivered the news as the country closed in on achieving its 80% vaccination target.
HealthOctober 1, 2021
A protester raises a "Freedom" sign board at a protest against government measures to curb COVID in Berlin, August 2021

German hospital sector chief slams 'reckless' unvaccinated

Meanwhile, Melbourne's COVID infection rates soared to a new daily high. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthSeptember 30, 2021
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the company's facility in Belgium

COVID digest: BioNTech-Pfizer submit children's vaccine data

A COVID-19 vaccine for 5-to-11-year-olds could be approved in the US as early as October. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthSeptember 29, 2021
People wearing face masks are seen at Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Shibuya Ward, in Tokyo, June 20, 2021.

COVID digest: Japan to lift state of emergency

Meanwhile, India has reported its smallest number of COVID cases since mid-March. Follow DW for the latest.
HealthSeptember 28, 2021
US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on a vaccination update from the State Dining Room at The White House

US government contractors 'must be vaccinated by December 8'

The Biden administration will add clauses to future government contracts mandating inoculations for federal contractors.
HealthSeptember 25, 2021
A nurse enters a monoclonal antibody site in Pembroke Pines

COVID digest: WHO approves Regeneron for treatment

The WHO has approved a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies to prevent severe COVID-19 in high-risk patients.
HealthSeptember 24, 2021