Influenza 2022: sharp increase, symptoms, duration, map of the epidemic

[Mise à jour le 16 mars 2022 à 15h10] The 2022 flu epidemic is sharply increasing in France, reports Public health France in its weekly bulletin of March 16, 2022. Four new regions metropolitan areas have gone into epidemic: Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Grand-Est, Hauts-de-France and Île-de-France. All metropolitan areas are now in epidemic except Corsica. What are the flu numbers this year? What are the flu symptoms ? The incubation period? The duration ? Is she contagious ? What are the treatments (natural or medicinal) to heal quickly?

Figures for 2022: how many cases of flu today?

Public Health France publishes the figures for the flu epidemic in France every week. On week 10 (March 7-13, 2022), the agency indicates a “upsurge circulation of influenza viruses”.he consultation rate for flu-like illness estimated from Sentinel Network data was 146/100,000 inhabitantsup sharply from the previous week when it was 88. This increase was observed in all age groups. To the hospital : we observe a strong increase in the number of passages for influenza or influenza-like illness (4,817 in W10 vs 2,970 in W09, i.e. +62%). Since week 40, among the 211 intensive care units participating in monitoring, 157 serious cases of influenza have been reported, including 10 in S10 (non-consolidated data). Among these cases, 48 cases involved children under the age of 15 (31%), higher proportion than in previous seasons. Fifteen deaths were reported, including 2 occurring in children under 2 years of age due to an A(H1N1) virus. For 131 of the 141 cases for which the virus was typed, a type A virus has been identified. In children under 5, 6 A(H1N1) viruses and 2 A(H3N2) viruses have been identified. Three cases of viral co-infection have been detected: one A(H1N1)/A(H3N2) co-infection and two influenza/SARS-CoV-2 co-infections

At regional level, in metropolitan France: flu indicators were on the rise in all metropolitan areas except Occitanie where the trend was stable. Four new metropolitan areas have gone into epidemic: Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Grand-Est, Hauts-de-France and Île-de-France. After a first epidemic wave that occurred from the penultimate of 2021, Île-de-France had gone to a post-epidemic level in S03-2022 and is back in S10 in epidemic. All regions are therefore in the epidemic phase except Corsica

Overseas: Guyana is still in the epidemic phase: we observed a decrease the number of visits to emergency services and a localized increase in the number of consultations in remote prevention and care centres. Influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) viruses have been identified in the past five weeks. In the West Indies, Mayotte and Reunionthe indicators are at their basic level.

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?

Since week 40 (October 2021), among the 96,965 deaths declared in metropolitan France121 (0.12%) were with a mention of influenza as a morbid condition that directly caused or contributed to death. The share of influenza-related deaths at progressed in week 09 (1st week of March 2022) compared to the previous two weeks. Of these 121 deaths10 were under the age of 15, 17 between 15 and 64, and 95 were aged 65 or over. For the sseason 2020-2021 “the statistical model that allows to estimate the mortality attributable to influenza was not used” has indicated Public Health France. 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?

Vaccination is recommended for people at risk and healthcare professionals, and is the best way to protect against influenza and its complications. It’s 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 vaccination campaign ended on February 28, 2022.

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, by 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).