After 1943, sickness and dread was increasing within the German capital. Halitosis, influenza, common cold, scarlet fever and dysentery were all increasing. The increased shortages of food because of rationing, lack of sleep due to stress, and daily worry of what the next war time effect would be all lead to this lack of health. The overall depressing and “bleak” atmosphere of Berlin lead to overall poor health even if one wasn’t specifically sick.
My character, being a 32 year old housewife with 2 small children, would have to have dealt with this I am sure. Not only are children more susceptible to germs and disease, but being a stay at home mom means more time together in the house, and the possibility of more germ spreading. I can imagine this time would have been hard for her as she attempted to care for her ever-sick family, while also dealing with her own stress and fear during the war.