For a week, the circulation of the virus of the flu is progressing in all regions of metropolitan France. “Appeals for flu syndromes have more than doubled, as have consultations with SOS doctors for this reason in the Hauts-de-France region”notes Hélène Prouvost, epidemiologist at Public Health France.
And for good reason. “The resumption of school activities, work and the relaxation of barrier gestures have allowed an increase in viral circulation”she analyzes. The start is late. “Usually, we have an epidemic peak in January or February”continues Hélène Prouvost, who hopes that the epidemic will also be shorter, with the arrival of fine weather.
In the office of doctor Jérôme Devinck, in Armentières, patients who present flu-like symptoms parade. This week he got 5-6 every day. Valérie, 59, had a hard time getting out of bed to go to the consultation. Sore throat, cough, runny nose, headaches and especially severe fatigue… With these symptoms, Valérie immediately thought of Covid, “because my daughter tested positive a few days agoshe points out. But my test came back negative.”
Valérie received three doses of the Covid vaccine, but she hadn’t thought of getting the flu shot. “It is the best protection against this virus which also kills, which killed before the Covid, and which sends the same type of profiles of people to intensive care every year”, says Dr. Jérôme Devinck. He recommends that his 65-year-old patients and those with comorbidities get vaccinated.