The flu strikes suddenly and lasts a good week. But according to our medical officer of health, there is a day when the symptoms are the strongest.
The flu epidemic is in full swing in France. It is difficult to escape it as it actively circulates in all regions. The flu is a viral infection that comes without warning: one day you wake up feeling great, then suddenly she hits you. “Once you are infected with the flu virus, it develops in the cells of our body and causes the appearance of several symptoms announcing the onset of the disease. 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 hours“, explained Dr Pierre Parneix, medical officer of health and hospital practitioner in Public Health at the Bordeaux University Hospital and head of the CPIAS of Nouvelle Aquitaine, during an article devoted to the flu. This winter disease causes typical symptoms : at the beginning, severe fatigue, cough dry and painful and shivers even when you are not cold. Then, when the disease is well established, a high fever, headache, sore throat, body aches, runny nose and sometimes watery eyes are added.
Finally, when is the worst?
While the intensity and duration of symptoms varies from person to person, there is usually typical steps. The first two days, “there is a great rise in the viral load and the clinical symptoms are more and more marked“, reports our expert. Overall, we can say that the worst day is usually the 3rd. That’s where you go feel the worst. “It is often from the 4th day that patients feel “better“, indicates our interlocutor. We must still maintain vigilance and continue to rest and hydrate well because there is a possible relapse.
On the 5th and 6th day, symptoms generally subside. Most people are almost fully recovered after a week. However, the cough may persist for up to 3 weeks. Likewise, fatigue or feeling of weakness can also persist for several weeks. In all cases, in the event of a sudden worsening or without clear improvement in the condition 4 days after the first symptoms appearit is more prudent to see a doctor.