The flu virus is currently raging in Pays de la Loire which has been in an epidemic situation since December 9, 2024
informs the Pays de la Loire Regional Health Agency. In recent days, the epidemic has intensified.
We had a lot of calls about the flu, with very high and persistent fevers for several days
confirms Dr Gwendoline Ménager, president of Adops72, an association which organizes the permanent care system in Sarthe.
Barrier gestures and vaccination
The general practitioner explains that the calls intensified the week before the Christmas holidays. Public Health France indicates on its website that if all age groups are affected
the children under 15 years old were the most affected in town and in hospital
the last week of December 2024. Information confirmed by Gwendoline Ménager. In the department, 116 117 and 15 received a lot of calls for young children
. Cases that have been treated in priority
particularly for children aged 6 and under, due to the risk of secondary infection (angina, otitis, viral meningitis).”
Overwhelmed by the flow of calls and doctors’ offices closed due to the holidays, the regulators of 15 and 116 117 (which had to close for a few days at the end of December) were forced to send adults who needed time off work to teleconsultation booths
.
To protect yourself from the flu or know when to consult, Dr Gwendoline Ménager advises referring to the preventive measures published on the Health Insurance website, Ameli (keep your distance, avoid visiting fragile people, wear a mask, wash your hands regularly, etc.). She also recalls that the vaccine is recommended for people over 65 who are fragile, but also for children. The vaccine does not completely protect against the flu but it reduces the symptoms
.
If in doubt, it is possible to go to a pharmacy to get tested.
The president of Adops72 also warns of the arrival of gastroenteritis in the department.
