What is the average duration of the flu? : Current Woman Le MAG

In a file produced in collaboration with the head of the VirPath research laboratory, Inserm estimates that the seasonal flu virus affects between 2 and 8 million people each year in France. Flu epidemics mainly extend from November to April. The duration of infection is several weeks. It varies depending on multiple factors, including the type of virus and the person infected.

1. What is the incubation period for the flu?

The incubation period for seasonal flu varies between 1 and 4 days (data from the Pasteur Institute, October 2023). This is the period between contamination and the sudden appearance of the first symptoms:

2. What factors determine the duration of seasonal flu?

The duration of seasonal flu varies, depending on sources. Firstly, because different organizations do not all use the same data samples. Secondly, because a flu syndrome is not always synonymous with medical consultation. It is therefore difficult to know how many people are actually infected with the seasonal flu virus. Not all people respond in the same way to infection with the influenza virus.

Another phenomenon confuses the estimates every year: genetic modifications of the influenza virus. These changes are called mutations. They occur when the virus replicates. They have a direct impact on the effectiveness of vaccines, and force researchers to regularly modify their composition. When the first symptoms appear, the duration of the illness depends on:

  • the type of influenza virus responsible for the infection (A, B or C);
  • rapid treatment carried out within 48 hours following the appearance of symptoms: moderate rest, hydration, medications to combat fever (antipyretics) and cough (antitussives);
  • the age of the infected person (the risk of complications is higher in infants and people over 65);
  • the effectiveness of the patient’s immune system;
  • a possible state of pregnancy;
  • the presence of overweight, obesity or a pathology: diabetes, respiratory disease (pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis) or cardiovascular disease (heart failure), etc.

Sources

Read also :

⋙ Flu or influenza-like illness: how to tell the difference?

⋙ Flu epidemic: the symptoms that should alert you

⋙ Flu: symptoms, origins, causes and treatments

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