“The impact of the last influenza epidemic was considerable in terms of mortality”.
The last influenza epidemic ended in February 2025. It lasted 12 weeks or 3 months old, “A longer duration than average and significant severity in all age groups but especially among those under 5 and those over 65” According to Public Health France. The intensity was very high in city medicine, with nearly 3 million consultations for influenza syndrome. The flu caused 29,000 hospitalizations. “The impact of the epidemic was considerable in terms of mortality. In a set of municipalities recording 84% of national mortality, an excess of around 14,100 deaths were recorded during the epidemic. Among the death Declared by electronic certificate, 4,925 had a flu. “ The 2024-2025 season was marked by the co-circulation of 3 influenza viruses A (H1N1) PDM09, A (H3N2) and B/Victoria.
What is a flu? An influenza syndrome?
Flu is a acute respiratory infectionof viral origin, due to a Influenza virus. It is an infectious and contagious diseasewhich is the subject of seasonal epidemics, generally observed During fall and winter. It is different from influenza syndrome that may be due to many other respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus … Most of the time benign, flu can however be serious in fragile people.
What are the viruses responsible for flu?
The influenza viruses are mainly distributed between two types: A and Bdividing themselves into two subtypes (A (H3N2) and A (H1N1) PDM09) or lineages (B/Victoria and B/Yamagata). Type A fluid viruses are circulating in many animal species (ducks, chickens, pigs, horses, seals, etc.). Influenza viruses Type B circulate Essentially in humans. V and B viruses are the cause of seasonal epidemics in humans but Only type A viruses have been responsible for pandemics To date, underlines Public Health France. To be contaminated by the flu virus, you must be in contact with a person already seized. Contamination can be done in three ways:
- Airly : a sick person projects saliva droplets into the air, speaking, coughing or sneezing. Millions of viruses are then found in the air, ready to be inhaled and to contaminate you.
- By close direct contact : a sick person shakes your hand or kisses you.
- Speak Contact with affected objects By a sick person, for example a door handful or a phone.
What are the typical symptoms of a flu?
- Great fatigue
- Chills even when you are not cold
- A dry and painful cough
- Then comes the fever which can go up to more than 39 ° C
- The aches
- Headaches …
In all cases, in the event of sudden worsening or without improvement in the state 72 hours after the first symptomsit is absolutely necessary see a doctor.
Generally during a flu, cough is dry and painful. Sometimes this dry cough turns into a greasy cough. The cough can last up to 3 weeks or more. They are worrying if it is accompanied by a persistent fever, breathing difficulties, a change in skin coloring, or in the case of children, respiratory breaks and suffocation.
When to be vaccinated against flu?
The flu vaccination campaign started on October 15, 2024 in France. This campaign is coupled in the COVVI-19 vaccination campaign. It targets all people aged 65 and over, people over 6 months old, suffering from comorbidities having a high risk of serious form of the disease, immunocompromised people, pregnant women, residents in follow-up care or in a medico-social establishment regardless of their age, as well as people living in the entourage or in regular contacts with immunocompromised or vulnerable forms of infection, including health professionals. Vaccines available are Vaxigrip Tetra® vaccines (Sanofi-Pasteur Laboratory), Influvac Tetra® (Viatris Laboratory) and Fluarix Tetra® (GSK Laboratory). It’s necessary count about 15 days between vaccination and the moment when the body is protected against flu. So no need to wait for the first colds or the start of the epidemic to get vaccinated.
What is the average duration of a flu?
A hard flu Between 3 and 7 days (5 days on average).
What is the incubation time for a flu?
“”The incubation time (delay flowing between the time of the condition and the appearance of symptoms) generally lasts Between 24 and 48 hours, but it can extend at 72 hoursrecalls Dr. Parneix. However, the patient is contagious, even before the appearance of symptoms, during an average period of 6 days.“”
For how long are you contagious when you have the flu?
Flu is a contagious disease. The patient can transmit it “even before the appearance of symptoms and during an average period of 6 days“Recalls our interlocutor.
There is a quick diagnostic orientation test (Trod) Flu, feasible in pharmacyin the doctor, or in a medical laboratory to detect influenza A or B viruses (most frequent virus types during seasonal epidemics). It is possible without prescription and consists of a sample in the nose and must be done in the 24-48 hours after the first symptoms appear evocatives of a flu (a sudden fever greater than 39 ° C, headache, aches, sore throat, cough, extreme fatigue). Attention, “its sensitivity is low in adults, being able to less than 60 % between 70 to 90 % in children“wants to indicate the has. Laboratories have developed combined antigenic tests allowing the flu and covid to detect at the same time. In 15 to 30 minutes, the patient obtains the result. These tests are over -the -counter in certain pharmacies.
What are the treatments to treat a flu?
- Take paracetamol To lower fever, pain and aches.
- There Vitamin C is also sometimes advised to fight against fatigue. Likewise, certain foods are particularly recommended to better fight fatigue.
- If necessary, we can complement with a nasal decongestant and a antitassive For dry and rebels coughs.
- Finally, it is necessary drink abundantly and rest.
“The flu is due to a virus and the antibiotics are completely ineffective To treat viral diseases, moreover they could deteriorate the good bacteria that the body needs to defend itself from the disease “ Recalls Dr. Pierre Parneix.
- Cough at the bend of the elbow and cover your nose when sneezing,
- Wash your hands with soap regularly during the day, especially after you hired, have coughing or sneezed.
- Flying in a handkerchief and then throwing it in the trash, ideally closed with a lid,
- To carry A surgical mask.
- THE Hydroalcoholic gel is also practical, but in the long term, it can dry out the hands.
- Ventilate your interior every day between 10 and 15 minutes to renew the air
- Finally, remember to ventilate the parts regularly, several times a day: you will delete stagnant viruses in the air, by sneezing and breathing.
- Clean microbe nests such as door handles, remote controls, phone screens …
Finally, avoid contacts with the most vulnerable to the flu virus: pregnant women, seniors, people with chronic or immunodeficiency disease, young children …
Thank you to Dr Pierre Parneix, hygienist doctor and hospital practitioner in public health (CHU de Bordeaux).
