Flu: epidemic in January 2024, map, symptoms

At the start of January 2024, flu viruses are on the rise in France especially in hospitalwith 10 regions in epidemic (Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France, Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, PACA, Occitanie, Centre-Val de Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Corsica) and 3 in the pre-phase epidemic, informs Public health France in its bulletin of January 3, 2024. In week 52, the rate of consultations for all ages combined for influenza syndrome (estimated using data from the Sentinels network) was 201 per 100,000 inhabitants. It is therefore important that people at risk protect themselves by getting vaccinated against seasonal flu (possible until January 31, 2024). This disease very contagious can lead to serious complications among people at risk (elderly people, women pregnantchronically ill) such as a pneumonia or the worsening of an already existing chronic pathology (heart failure, respiratory failure, diabetes, etc.). Every year, between 2 to 6 million French people are contaminated by influenza viruses and 10,000 die. OUR special file on influenza, with the participation of our hygienist expert.

What do you call the flu? A flu syndrome?

The flu is a acute respiratory infectionof viral origin, in other words, due to a Influenza virus. It is an infectious and contagious disease, which manifests itself by fever, cough, body aches, headaches, chills, etc. Influenza is subject to seasonal epidemics, generally observed during the fall and winter. It is different from a flu syndrome which can be due to many other respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus… Most of the time mild, the flu can however be serious in fragile people.

What viruses cause the flu?

Influenza viruses are essentially 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 type B circulate mainly in humans. Viruses A and B are the cause of seasonal epidemics in humans but only type A viruses have been responsible for pandemics to date, emphasizes Public Health France.

What are the typical symptoms of the flu?

Every year, influenza 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 illnesses. Among the first symptoms of the flu, we find:

• 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 the event of a sudden worsening or without improvement in the condition 72 hours after the first symptomsit is essential see a doctor.

Generally during the flu, coughing is dry and painful. Sometimes this dry cough turns into a wet cough. The cough can last up to 3 weeks or more. It is worrying if it is accompanied by persistent fever, difficulty breathing, a change in skin color, or in the case of children, pauses in breathing and choking.

When to get the flu vaccine?

Vaccination is recommended for people at risk and healthcare professionals, and represents the best way to protect yourself from influenza and its complications. It’s necessary allow approximately 15 days between vaccination and the moment when the body is protected against the flu. There is therefore no need to wait for the first cold weather or the start of the epidemic to get vaccinated. This year, the seasonal flu vaccination campaign lasts until January 31, 2024.

What is the average duration of the flu?

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

What is the incubation time for the flu?

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

How long are you contagious when you have the flu?

The flu is a contagious disease. The patient can transmit iteven before symptoms appear 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:

• By air : a sick person projects droplets of saliva into the air, when talking, coughing or sneezing. Millions of viruses then end up in the air, ready to be inhaled and contaminate you.
• By close direct contact : a sick person shakes your hand or kisses you.
• Speak contact with touched objects by a sick person, for example a door handle or a telephone.

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

There is a rapid diagnostic orientation test (TROD) flu, feasible in pharmacyat the doctor’s office, or in a medical laboratory to screen for influenza A or B viruses (the most common types of viruses during seasonal epidemics). It is possible without a prescription and consists of a sample in the nose and must be done in the 24-48 hours after the first symptoms appear suggestive of the flu (sudden fever above 39°C, headache, body aches, sore throat, cough, extreme fatigue). Attention, “her sensitivity is low in adults, can be at less than 60% between 70 to 90% in children” would like to indicate the HAS. Also, at the end of December 2022, laboratories (AAZ, Roche or Toda Pharma) have developed combined antigen tests called multiplex making it possible to detect flu and Covid at the same time. In 15 to 30 minutes, the patient obtains the result. Various types of samples can be used to carry out these tests, the most common being the nasopharyngeal swab. These tests are available over the counter in some pharmacies.

What are the treatments to treat the flu?

In case of flu symptoms:

• See the doctor quickly. He will be able to establish the diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate medications.
• Take some paracetamol to reduce fever, pain and aches.
• There vitamin C is also sometimes recommended to combat fatigue. Likewise, certain foods are particularly recommended to better combat fatigue.
• If necessary, we can supplement with a nasal decongestant and one cough suppressant for dry and stubborn coughs.
• Finally, it is necessary drink plenty of water and rest.

Should you take antibiotics to treat the flu?

“The flu is caused by a virus and antibiotics are completely ineffective to treat viral diseases, moreover they could deteriorate the good bacteria which the body needs to defend itself from the disease” replies Dr Pierre Parneix.

What are the natural treatments for the flu?

Garlic, lemon, honey, thyme… Several natural solutions can help boost the immune system to prevent or treat the flu.

Flu in children: what to do?

To prevent your child from contracting the flu virus, it is important to teach them to blow their nose with a single-use tissue and cover their nose to mouth when they sneeze or cough. In any case, consult your pediatrician so that he can examine him and administer, depending on the case, the most appropriate treatment, particularly against fever.

To limit the seasonal flu epidemic, it is essential to adopt simple preventive actions 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 flu and in particular if you yourself are vulnerable or “at risk” (pregnant women, seniors, people suffering from a chronic illness or immunodeficient, young children, etc.)

► Wash regularly hands with soap and water, or if you cannot do otherwise, with a hydro-alcoholic solution, particularly after any contact with the patient and after each return home.

► Do not share objects such as glasses, cutlery and obviously toothbrushes.

► Ventilate your interior every day for between 10 and 15 minutes to renew the air and prevent the proliferation of viruses.

► Clean germ nests such as door handles, remote controls, telephone screens, etc.

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