Influenza: Prevention, Symptoms, And Treatment
Influenza is a viral infectious disease with symptoms more severe than those of the common cold. Each year, millions of French people are affected by this illness, which can lead to fatal complications in vulnerable individuals.
Flu symptoms
The flu, although often confused with other viral illnesses (cold, rhinitis), is characterized by more severe symptoms that occur suddenly.
It generally manifests as:
- chills
- high fever (39-40°, irregular)
- severe headaches
- a painful dry cough
- varying degrees of nasal congestion
- intense fatigue
- muscle aches.
Moreover, while recovery occurs in 5 to 6 days, the convalescence is longer than for a simple cold: fatigue and cough can persist for several weeks.
A dangerous virus
The influenza virus is one of the leading causes of infectious mortality in France, with several thousand deaths each year. The epidemic that occurs for six to eight weeks every winter infects several million people in France.
Note: Infected individuals are contagious two days before symptoms appear and up to 5 days after the onset of the disease.
While in most cases improvement occurs after a few days, this illness can be much more severe in vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or those suffering from chronic diseases (heart conditions and heart failure, asthma or diabetes, and immune deficiencies). In young children and infants, the high fevers accompanying this infection can lead to seizures.
The autumn and winter season: an increased risk of contamination
As we approach 2025, it is important to remember that the fall and winter seasons remain the most conducive to the spread of the flu virus. Cooler temperatures encourage indoor gatherings, thus increasing the risk of contagion. Moreover, with holidays and other year-end celebrations, it is easy to find oneself in crowded and enclosed spaces, which greatly facilitates the transmission of the virus.
Anticipating contagion during holidays and travel
If you plan to travel or attend events with large crowds, consider adopting simple measures to protect yourself, such as washing your hands frequently and wearing a mask if necessary. These preventive measures, even if they seem trivial, can make a real difference during the flu season and help reduce the number of cases each winter.
Note: Infected individuals are contagious two days before symptoms appear and up to five days after the onset of the illness.
While in most cases improvement occurs after a few days, this illness can be much more severe for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or those with chronic conditions (heart disease and heart failure, asthma or diabetes, and immune deficiencies). In young children and infants, the high fevers accompanying this infection can lead to seizures.
Prevention and treatment
In individuals who do not have any particular frailty, rest is the best treatment to help the body fight the infection.
It is enough to stay in bed, drink plenty, and take decongestant medications to clear the nose, as well as Ibuprofen, aspirin, or paracetamol to treat fever. Vitamin C can also help combat the infection.
However, for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, the flu vaccine is strongly recommended as a preventive measure. This vaccine, which is free for people over 65 years old or those who are ill, must be renewed annually to be effective against this changing virus.
