Influenza: France 2023 map, symptoms, duration of contagion

France is facing a strong epidemic of flu during’winter 2022-2023. This disease is very contagious. It affects approximately 2 to 6 million French people each year and would cause on average 10,000 deaths per year according to Public Health France. The flu differs from the syndrome or the “flu” state which can be due to many other respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus… What are the flu symptoms ? The incubation period? The disease duration ? Is she contagious ? What are the treatments (natural or medicinal) to heal quickly? When to get vaccinated? Our special file on the flu.

What is the flu?

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 is manifested by fever, cough, aches, headaches, chills… Influenza is subject to seasonal epidemics, generally observed during fall and winter. It differs 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 virus causes the flu?

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. In autumn 2022, the A(H3N2) virus circulates mainly in France.

What are the typical flu symptoms?

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.

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

When to get the 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.

How long does a flu last?

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

What is the incubation time for the flu?

“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.“

Are you contagious when you have the flu? For how long ?

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:

• By air : 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.
• 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 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.

There is a rapid diagnostic orientation test (TROD) flu, achievable in pharmacyat the doctor’s office, or in a medical laboratory to screen for influenza A or B viruses (the most common types of virus during seasonal epidemics). It is possible without a prescription and consists of a sample taken from the nose and must be done within 24-48 hours after first symptoms appear suggestive of flu (sudden fever above 39°C, headache, body aches, sore throat, cough, extreme fatigue). Warning, “her sensitivity is low in adults, can be at less than 60% between 70 to 90% in children“Wishes to indicate the HAS. Also, at the end of December 2022, laboratories (AAZ, Roche or Toda Pharma) developed multiplex combined antigen tests to detect flu and Covid at the same time. In 15-30 minutes, the patient gets 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 for treating 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.

Should I take antibiotics to treat the flu?

“The flu is caused by a virus and antibiotics are totally ineffective to treat viral diseases, in addition they could damage the good bacteria that the body needs to defend itself from disease” answers Dr. Pierre Parneix.

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.

flu in children

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 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, telephone screens…

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