Just before Christmas, the Public Health Agency announced that the spread of covid-19 was at a high level and was about to take over in Sweden – but it has now calmed down.
Instead, it is the flu that begins to make itself felt and infects the Swedes. In one week, the spread increased by 40 percent, from week 50 to 51.
– It usually looks like this when it starts and it’s not from very high levels, says state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén.
Once the flu gets going, it usually takes a few weeks before it increases significantly. In the last week of the year, there were 670 confirmed cases – a number that could reach several thousand.
– There could be even more infected people because the vast majority never seek medical care.
Contagious before symptoms
The time from being infected until you become ill is short, often between one and three days. The infection also spreads the day before you get any symptoms – and is at its worst when you are sickest.
A rule of thumb is that you are contagious as long as you have a fever.
Typical flu symptoms are fever, muscle aches, cough and runny nose, but sometimes the infection can manifest itself as a milder cold. For some people, the disease can become serious and require hospital care.
Book an appointment
When it is cold, spreading is favored because the droplets from the mouth and nose can stay in the air longer, before falling to the ground. Therefore, the flu in Sweden spreads mostly during the cold season.
– Be sure to show consideration. If you have a fever, it is important to stay away from work, says Magnus Gisslén.
Despite the fact that the Public Health Agency sees an increase in the infection, it is not too late for risk groups, i.e. people over 65 to get vaccinated against both covid-19 and the flu.
– What we do know is that the vaccine is beneficial and reduces the risk of needing hospital care or, in the worst case, dying. This applies to both covid and flu. If you belong to a group for which vaccination is recommended, it is high time to book an appointment.
Sudden chills
Rapidly rising fever
General muscle aches
Headache
Palpable feeling of sickness.
Dry cough
Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur
Source: The Public Health Authority