Flu: map of France, symptoms, how long?

[Mis à jour le 2 février 2022 à 17h45] In France, influenza occurs in the form of seasonal epidemics between December and April and affects on average 2.5 million people every year. L’2021-2022 epidemic began according to Public health France. In week 4 (from January 24 to 30, 2022), three regions are in epidemic phase (Ile-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie), 11 in pre-epidemic phase (Corsica has moved into pre-epidemic) Reunion and Mayotte are in the post-epidemic phase. The rate of consultations for flu-like illness is up (+11%) since the end of December, mainly driven by children under 5 but also on the rise among 5-14 and 15-64 year olds, reports the Ministry of Health. To protect against this and limit the risk of complications, the flu vaccination is the best solution. The vaccination campaign is extended until February 28, 2022indicates the ministry of health. Vaccinations carried out after January 31 are therefore covered by health insurance. “The flu could be strong this year because we didn’t have any last year therefore the level of population immunity is lower“, warned Olivier Véran at the launch of the vaccination campaign. What are the flu symptoms ? The incubation period? The duration ? Is she contagious ? What are the treatments (natural or medicinal) to heal quickly?

Influenza virus: what figures in France?

Public health France publishes the figures for the flu epidemic in France every week. For week 4 (January 24 to 30, 2022), the incidence rate of consultations for flu-like illness is 127 per 100,000 inhabitants (Sentinels Network): stable compared to the previous week, but a slight decrease is observed among children under 5 and 5-14 years old. 1,668 people went to the emergency room (Oscour® network). Since the start of surveillance in mainland France: 96 serious cases of influenza admitted to intensive care, including 3 cases admitted in week 4. The evolution of influenza activity varied according to the regions: increasing in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and in Corsica justifying a transition to the pre-epidemic phase. On the other hand, the indicators continued to decrease in Ile-de-France after its transition to the post-epidemic phase in S03. In the other regions, influenza activity was stable

Mayotte and Réunion entered the post-epidemic phase in week 1 of 2022. In the West Indies and Guyana, the indicators are at their low level: no alarm for the moment.

Definition: what is a flu?

The flu is a acute respiratory infectiondue to a influenza virus, while an influenza-like illness can be caused by many other respiratory viruses like rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, etc. Influenza viruses are mainly divided into two types: A and Bdividing themselves into two subtypes (A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) pdm09) or lineages (B/Victoria and B/Yamagata). Type A influenza viruses circulate in many animal species (ducks, chickens, pigs, horses, seals, etc.). Influenza viruses from B-type circulate mainly in humans. Viruses A and B cause seasonal epidemics in humans, but only type A viruses have been responsible for pandemics to date, points out Public Health France.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Each year, flu epidemics can affect all age groups, but the most vulnerable people are the children under two years old, adults over 65 and people with certain chronic diseases. Early symptoms of the flu include:

• great fatigue,
• chills even when you are not cold,
• a dry, painful cough
• then comes the fever which can rise to more than 39°c,
• aches,
• headaches…

In all cases, in case of sudden aggravation or without improvement of the state 72 hours after the first symptomsit is essential see a doctor.

How many flu deaths in 2021?

In its October 2020 – April 2021 flu report published on October 8, 2021, Public Health France informed: “In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the absence of active circulation of influenza viruses, the statistical model that allows to estimate the mortality attributable to influenza was not used”. Thus, for the time being, no mortality figures linked to the influenza epidemic have been published. In October 2020, Public Health France reported 3,700 deaths attributable to influenza during the 2019-2020 epidemic with 76% of these deaths involving people over the age of 75, while there are an average of 9,000 deaths each year since 2011. Among the parameters that could explain this lower number of deaths: circulating types of influenza virus during the winter of 2019-2020 (the deadliest virus for the elderly (virus A H3N2) circulated less) and theimprovement of vaccination coverage (from 46.8% in 2018-2019 to 47.8% in 2019-2020).

When to get a flu shot?

The seasonal flu vaccine campaign is extended until February 28, 2022

Vaccination is recommended for people at risk and healthcare professionals, and is the best way to protect against influenza and its complications. The national seasonal flu vaccination campaign has started October 22, 2021 for priority people (deemed to be at risk). But since the November 22, 2021, non-target people, in other words the entire population, can be vaccinated. Faced with the active circulation of the influenza virus in France, the ministry of health indicated that the seasonal influenza vaccination campaign was extended until February 28, 2022. Influenza vaccination can be done at the same time as the injection of an anti-Covid booster dose (a vaccine in each arm recommends the HAS). It is necessary allow approximately 15 days between vaccination and the time when the body is protected against the flu. No need to wait for the first cold weather or the start of the epidemic to get vaccinated.

The duration of contagion can last 6 days.

How long does a flu last?

A hard flu between 3 and 7 days (5 days on average).

What is the incubation time?

“The incubation time (the time between the moment of illness and the appearance of symptoms) generally lasts between 24 and 48 hours, but it can be extended to 72 hoursrecalls Dr. Parneix. However, the patient is contagious, even before the appearance of symptoms and this, during an average period of 6 days.“

Is the flu contagious?

The flu is a contagious disease. The patient can transmit it “even before the onset of symptoms and during an average period of 6 days“ recalls our interlocutor.

To be infected with the flu virus, you must be in contact with someone who already has the flu. Contamination can occur in three ways:

• The first by airway : a sick person projects droplets of saliva into the air, when talking, coughing or sneezing. Millions of viruses are then found in the air, ready to be inhaled and contaminate you.
• The second, by close direct contact : a sick person shakes your hand or kisses you.
• Finally, contamination can occur through the contact with touched objects by a sick person, for example a doorknob or a telephone.

• Cough at the bend of the elbow and cover the nose when sneezing,
• Wash your hands with soap regularly throughout the day, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Blow your nose in a tissue and then throw it in the trash, ideally closed with a lid,
• Carry a surgical mask if you are sick and you have to go to a closed and public place, this prevents contaminating others.
• the hydroalcoholic gel is also practical, but in the long term it can dry out the hands.
• Finally, remember to air the rooms regularly, several times a day: you will thus eliminate stagnant viruses in the air, through sneezing and breathing.

What are the treatments for the flu?

In case of flu-like symptoms:

• Consult the doctor quickly. He or she will be able to make the diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate medications.
• Take some paracetamol to reduce fever, aches and pains.
• The vitamin C is also sometimes recommended to combat fatigue. Similarly, certain foods are particularly recommended to better combat fatigue.
• If necessary, you can complete with a nasal decongestant and one cough suppressant for dry and stubborn coughs.
• Finally, it is necessary drink plenty and rest.

What are the natural treatments for the flu?

Garlic, lemon, honey, thyme… Several natural solutions can help boost the immune defenses in the prevention or treatment of the flu.

What should I do if my child catches the flu?

To prevent your child from contracting the flu virus, it is important to teach him how to blow his nose in a single-use tissue, to cover his nose to his mouth when sneezing or coughing. In any case, consult your pediatrician so that he can examine him and administer, depending on the case, the most appropriate treatment, especially against fever.

To limit the seasonal flu epidemic, it is essential to adopt simple preventive measures on a daily basis aimed at limiting the circulation of the flu virus, particularly in communities and on public transport where it is easily transmitted. For those around people with the flu, it is recommended to respect these few hygiene rules:

• Wash your hands regularly and systematically after each outing and each contact with the sick person.
• Avoid close contact with the person with the flu and in particular if you yourself are vulnerable or “at risk” (pregnant women, seniors, people suffering from a chronic illness or immunocompromised, young children, etc.)
• Wash yourself regularly hands with soap and water, or if you cannot do otherwise, with a hydro-alcoholic solution, especially after any contact with the patient and after each return home.
• Do not share objects such as glasses, cutlery and of course toothbrushes.
• Ventilate its interior every day between 10 and 15 minutes to renew the air and prevent the proliferation of viruses.
• Clean germ nests such as door handles, remote controls, phone screens…

Thank you to Dr Pierre Parneix, medical officer of health and hospital practitioner in public health (Bordeaux University Hospital).