Health. Protect yourself from winter respiratory infections

The Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Nouvelle Aquitaine reminds that there are solutions to protect yourself from winter respiratory infections.

Bronchiolitis, flu, Covid

The ARS invites you to protect yourself from Bronchiolitis, flu and Covid-19: “The end of year holidays are approaching, as is the return of respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis in infants, flu and Covid-19 in the most vulnerable people. In order to prevent these epidemics, the ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine reminds that there are simple actions, applicable by everyone, to protect themselves and others, particularly the most vulnerable.

What are the symptoms of winter viruses?

Symptoms generally appear a week after contact with the virus and can lead to a loss of autonomy in vulnerable people.

 Bronchiolitis: respiratory symptoms (rhinitis, cough), difficulty breathing in the child which is accompanied by difficulty drinking and eating, frequent coughing fits with wheezing when breathing.

 The Flu: high fever, body aches, headache, intense fatigue, dry cough, runny nose.

 Covid-19: symptoms very similar to those of the flu: fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, unusual fatigue, etc., but also diarrhea, loss of smell and taste.

Actions to adopt

They are always the same, you still have to apply them.

Use a single-use tissue and avoid any contact with vulnerable people,

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 30 seconds or with hydro-alcoholic gel (containing at least 60% alcohol) especially before and after caring for a fragile person).

Sneezing or coughing into the crook of your elbow and wash your hands afterwards.

Ventilate the home regularly.

Protect babies : wash your hands before and after each change, feeding, meal or cuddle; regularly ventilate the entire home; avoid taking your child into confined public places; do not share unwashed bottles, pacifiers or cutlery; do not smoke near babies and children.

How do viruses spread?

They are easily transmitted by:

• The droplets loaded with viruses emitted during coughs and sneezes of people infected with a respiratory virus,
• Direct contact with hands of an infected person or by contact with objects (toys, comforters, pacifiers, elevator buttons, cutlery, etc.) contaminated by a sick person.

Bronchiolitis: let’s protect infants!

Babies, especially those under 2 years old, can develop bronchiolitis. In the vast majority of cases, bronchiolitis is benign. But sometimes, it requires hospitalization or even admission to intensive care.

It is possible to avoid it with the RSV vaccine for pregnant women during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The Abrysvo vaccine is 100% reimbursed by Health Insurance. It reduces severe respiratory infections linked to RSV by 81.8% within 3 months following birth and by 69.4% within 6 months.

It is also possible to immunize the infant with a monocline antibody.

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) protects newborns and infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Administered as a single injection intramuscularly in the thigh, This treatment is offered to all babies whose mother was not vaccinated during pregnancy. It offers rapid and long-lasting protection, for at least 5 months, against serious complications linked to RSV. It may be prescribed by a doctor or midwife and then administered by a doctor, nurse or midwife.

Vaccination against RSV is also recommended for people at risk aged 65 and over, and for all people aged 75 (but not covered by Health Insurance).

Joint Flu and Covid-19 vaccination: essential winter protection!

Joint vaccination against seasonal flu and Covid-19 aims to protect the most vulnerable populations. Those close to them, family or health professionals caring for them, must also be vaccinated to protect them. Both injections, against flu and Covid-19, can be administeredsimultaneously (on a different injection zone).

Are targeted in priority by these vaccinations:

• People aged 65 and over;
• People with psychiatric disorders, dementia, Down syndrome (for Covid-19)
• People including infants from 6 months, children, adolescents and adults with comorbidities who have a higher risk of severe disease
• Immunocompromised people;
• Pregnant women;
• Residents in accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) and long-term care units (USLD);
• People living in close proximity to or in regular contact with immunocompromised or vulnerable people,
• Professionals in the health and medico-social sectors.

100% support

The flu vaccine is supported 100% for the people targeted who will receive an invitation and a voucher from the CPAM.

If the voucher is lost or not received, you must ask the pharmacist who will issue a new one.

La vaccination du Covid-19 is supported 100% pour allit is available from the healthcare professional who vaccinates.

Vaccination can be carried out in a doctor’s office, in a pharmacy, in a nursing office or in a midwife’s office.

All information on vaccination locations is available on www.sante.fr.

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