The flu epidemic has been officially declared here, with a marked increase in cases in recent days. General practitioners, moreover, are seeing this increase in their practices. And this year, the epidemic is coming earlier than usual.
This doctor is overwhelmed by consultations for flu. In his office, patients describe a whole series of symptoms. “First of all, fatigue, possibly temperature, muscle pain called myalgia, and respiratory problems which can range from sinus damage, bronchial damage, or tracheal damage.“, explains Jacques Leclair, general practitioner.
Why so early?
Usually, the epidemic begins after the holiday season, sometimes even in early February. But last week, experts observed a peak in consultations for cases of flu, 115 per 100,000 inhabitants. “The epidemic is ahead. It's a coincidence in my opinion. We cannot predict the exact moment when the epidemic begins. It depends on a lot of factors that we don't know exactly. Here, it is not exceptional that it already starts in December“, explains Steven Van Gucht, virologist chez Sciensano.
The Sciensano research center expects an increase in the number of flu cases at the end of January. And doctors fear secondary infections, such as pneumonia for example. So, if you think you're one of the sick, any advice? “Above all, do not wait before consulting. When we see that we are sick, we call.“
The flu epidemic is expected to last 6 to 12 weeks. So, to slow the circulation of the virus, there is still time to get vaccinated.
flu epidemic
