FLU. In addition to Covid-19, the flu epidemic is present over a large part of France. A co-vaccination is recommended by the health authorities.
[Mis à jour le 9 décembre 2022 à 18h38] Public Health France warns, on December 7, of a “clear increase in flu indicators in all age groups”. Indeed, nine regions are now in the epidemic phase; the indicators are still orange for four regions (Corsica, New Aquitaine, Occitanie and Pays de la Loire). Overseas, too, the epidemic is still running, particularly in Martinique, Mayotte and Reunion. The figures coupled with those of the Covid are worrying, the milestone of 100,000 contaminations having been crossed on December 6.
The health authority warned that these high contaminations of flu cases constitute an “exceptionally early situation compared to previous seasons and mark the start of the flu epidemic in mainland France”. Also alerting that emergency room visits and hospitalizations are on the rise.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
On the site of theHealth Insuranceit is indicated that after contamination, the disease declares itself within approximately 48 hours, with “a high fever (around 39°C) accompanied by chills, intense fatigue, a feeling of depression with loss of appetite, diffuse muscular (aches) and joint pain, headaches, then a dry and painful cough”.
Note that a person who has the flu is contagious for five days after the appearance of the very first symptoms. At least, as far as adults are concerned. For children, contagiousness can extend over a week. Covid-19 or flu? On the other hand, it is sometimes difficult to find one’s way on this point, the symptoms being very similar. To remove any doubt as to Covid-19 contamination, the attending physician may request a PCR test.
Should I get vaccinated against the flu?
Faced with the high numbers of flu cases but also of Covid-19, Public Health France strongly recommends co-vaccination. As the end of the year holidays approach, the health authority strongly recommends “that people at risk protect themselves by resorting to vaccination against seasonal flu and COVID-19 as soon as possible”. According to High Authority of Healthit is possible to do both vaccines at the same time.
A la mi-November, l’USPO, Union des Syndicates de Pharmaciens d’Officine reported a very serious delay in the flu vaccination campaign, results deemed “worrying”. “In the general population, the decrease is 25 % compared to the 2021 campaign” the union was alarmed. Since November 15, 2022 the vaccination against the flu is open to everyone.
So who should get vaccinated? While the flu affects between 2 and 6 million people each year in the country, so-called “fragile” people can quickly find themselves in a serious condition leading to hospitalization, or even in the most complicated cases, death. To avoid such tragedies, “people aged 65 and over, people under 65 with certain chronic diseases, pregnant women, people suffering from obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 40 kg/m2) , the entourage of infants under 6 months at risk (who cannot be vaccinated) and immunocompromised people, health professionals and professionals in medico-social establishments in contact with patients at risk, home help for individuals vulnerable employers” are invited to get vaccinated. Note that for the first time, professionals exposed to swine and avian influenza viruses are also targeted as part of the 2022-2023 campaign, reports service-public.fr. For information, the vaccine is free for people at risk. For others, the price varies between 6 and 10 euros.