More viruses in circulation, it’s seasonal. Some tips for dealing with it as best as possible, to preserve your health and that of others.
Colds and nasopharyngitis, bronchitis and bronchiolitis, flu and gastroenteritis are present and can knock us down. Why every year in winter? Viruses love the cold which increases their resistance, as well as humidity favoring their transmission by suspended microdroplets. And because the nasal mucous membranes, in particular, are less effective in preventing their progression, when they are exposed to external aggression, infections progress at great speed. Explanations and advice from Dr. Thierry Prazuck, infectious disease specialist at Orléans University Hospital.
The good shield
“Barrier gestures” have demonstrated their effectiveness during the Covid crisis, by considerably limiting the usual winter epidemics, the year when they were most adopted. We get back to it with wearing a mask when in contact with the crowd, systematic hand washing after meeting people and returning home or after going to the toilet, used tissues thrown into a sealed bin, when sneezing and coughing into your elbow… Everything counts! And vaccination too when possible. In case of fragility, it is therefore recommended to protect against the flu, Covid 19, pneumococcus. Since this year, people over 75 or over 65 with a chronic respiratory or cardiac pathology have also been encouraged to be vaccinated against RSV, which is responsible for bronchiolitis in babies and serious infections in adults at risk. We are still waiting for reimbursement for seniors.
A little test?
We’ve been testing ourselves a lot during the Covid 19 outbreak, but this could still be useful. Better still, the new combined All In Triplex self-test from AAZ laboratories screens for bronchiolitis, flu and Covid in one go, with a display of the difference in the viral strain found. It has been available in pharmacies since the end of November, at the price of €9.96, not reimbursed, and allows the treatment of symptoms to be adapted according to the results.
-Relieve and monitor
If it is a virus, treating the infection does not require antibiotics, and fewer unnecessary prescriptions mean less antibiotic resistance. In the event of known health problems, amplifying the risk of developing a severe infection or aggravating a pre-existing pathology (diabetes, COPD, hypertension, etc.), an antiviral medication (to be adapted depending on the flu virus or Covid) can be offered within 48 hours. And otherwise, the treatment is only symptomatic: repeated washings and inhalations to relieve colds; honey and thyme tea for sore throats and coughs; a light diet based on rice, cooked apple, banana, etc. in case of gastro, and paracetamol for fever. But we remain vigilant and any worsening of the general condition (pain, shortness of breath, amplified and lasting fever, etc.) requires rapid medical advice to avoid a complication.
Belgium
Related News :