Although the winter flu epidemic has reached an exceptionally high level of intensity and the white plan has been activated in 87 hospitals, what are the warning signs? When should you consult?
High fever, chills, cough, joint and muscle pain, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue – these are the main symptoms of the flu. In this case, it is necessary to apply barrier gestures, wear a mask in the presence of other people and consult a doctor, advises Health Insurance.
In several cases, it is imperative to quickly consult your doctor if the sick person is pregnant or a baby, if he or she is a person over 65 years of age, if the patient suffers from a chronic illness or if he or she is following treatment responsible for immunosuppression, but also if the fever is poorly tolerated (over 40°C) or in case of unusual flu symptoms.
These unusual symptoms, which “should lead to a consultation very quickly”, are shortness of breath at rest and difficulty breathing, reappearance of fever after an improvement in symptoms, the appearance of a productive cough with purulent sputum or with the presence of blood, associated diarrhea and dehydration or even altered consciousness.
Drink water, dress lightly
As long as the fever persists, Health Insurance recommends drinking regularly and abundantly to avoid dehydration. It is also preferable to wear light clothing and avoid duvets and duvets. “They make you sweat and can cause your temperature to rise.”
In case of fever and muscle or joint pain, paracetamol is recommended. “However, be sure to use a dose appropriate for your age and weight and to respect contraindications.”
In healthy people, recovery usually occurs within a week, although fatigue is common for the next three to four weeks and a dry cough may also persist for two weeks.
But some frail people are at risk of developing severe flu that can require hospitalization in intensive care, the use of respiratory assistance or even cause death. These are people over 65 years of age or who suffer from certain chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes, heart or kidney failure, immunosuppression, chronic respiratory diseases), as well as babies.
The disease can become complicated and cause extensive lung damage or affect other organs such as the heart or brain, the Health Insurance also warns. The flu can also cause decompensation of chronic diseases.
Vaccination, the best way to protect yourself
Additionally, the flu during pregnancy is usually more serious. “Lung damage is more frequently severe in pregnant women and the risk of hospitalization increases,” warns Health Insurance. The risks of miscarriage and premature birth are also higher.
Please note: Vaccination in pregnant women protects mother and baby from birth to 6 months.
Furthermore, it is always possible and highly recommended to get vaccinated, as Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Labor, Health, Solidarity and Families, recalled this Friday. It is worth remembering that while vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, it also helps to protect others (particularly the most vulnerable people) and limit pressure on hospital services.
For information, the vaccination campaign that began on October 15 continues until January 31. The flu epidemic usually lasts ten to twelve weeks and could continue until March. Last year, the vaccination campaign was extended until the end of February.
a contagious disease
The flu spreads quickly through saliva droplets that carry the virus and are released into the air when a sick person talks, coughs or sneezes. “Millions of flu viruses are then in the air, before being inhaled by other people, who in turn will become contaminated and contagious,” explains Health Insurance.
Contamination can also occur through hands and objects stained with drops of saliva, hence the importance of barrier gestures. After contamination, symptoms appear between one and four days, indicates the Pasteur Institute.
A person infected with the flu virus is contagious for up to five days after the onset of the first symptoms in adults, up to seven days in children.
Be careful, it is possible to confuse the symptoms of the flu with those of Covid-19, which are similar. “However, certain symptoms, such as loss of taste and smell, are more reminiscent” of Covid-19, Health Insurance specifies. In this case, a test to detect the SARS-Cov-2 virus can allow the diagnosis of Covid-19.
The flu affects between 2 and 6 million people in France every year. according to Public Health France. And it causes an average of 10,000 deaths.
Source: BFM TV
