Céline Géraud, edited by Nathanaël Bentura
It’s a late return of the flu. In question, the anti-Covid measures, which limited mixing and temporarily stifled the circulation of the virus. However, the month of March saw the number of consultations for an influenza condition double. Hospitalizations, meanwhile, rose by 64%.
It most often occurs between the months of December and January. The seasonal flu epidemic has been delayed this year. The barrier gestures as well as the wearing of the mask killed two birds with one stone. In addition to having limited the spread of the Covid-19 virus, it also had a significant effect on that of the flu. However, the number of consultations for a flu-like state has almost doubled in 15 days. Hospitalizations have also increased by 64%. All regions are affected, with the exception of Corsica.
A recovery due to the relaxation of barrier gestures
According to Benjamin Davido, infectious disease specialist at Garches hospital, in Hauts-de-Seine, the situation is not surprising: “We are in the middle of this period when, following the relaxation of barrier gestures since March 14 , we find ourselves in a situation where we are going to make more viral respiratory infections”, he detailed.
Fortunately, this epidemic does not seem dangerous: “What must be put into perspective is when we look at the incidence rate of these influenza infections. In reality, we are on a flat rate”, nuance Benjamin Davido. “We can hope that, like this resumption of the flu, the Covid will continue to decrease over the spring, and that from mid-April, we can hope that all of these respiratory diseases will be behind us.”
The flu vaccination campaign has been closed since February 28. The injections are therefore no longer reimbursed by health insurance. In fact, the easiest way to protect yourself is to keep the mask in a closed place, wash your hands and ventilate as much as possible.