Hatsjoe … cough. In public transport, at the office and at school it was already noticeable, but last Wednesday the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Nivel and Erasmus MC also officially reported: “The annual flu epidemic seems to be started.”
“The number of people with flu -like complaints is rising rapidly and in more and more sources we see that the flu virus is going around,” the RIVM writes in a press release. The number of people who went to the doctor with flu complaints rose last week to 58 in 100,000 inhabitants. A week earlier that was 52 in 100,000. In 56 patients who reported to the doctor with flu-like symptoms, GPs decreased a throat and nose monster. In 38 of them, so 68 percent, the flu virus, the influenza virus, was found. A week earlier that was 58 percent.
There is a flu wave if more than 53 in 100,000 people with flu -like complaints report to the doctor for two weeks in a row. But according to different types of measurements, the number of infections is clearly rising quickly, which is why the RIVM speaks of a flu epidemic.
Sudden cold chills, sniffing, headache, muscle pain and fever are typical symptoms with which flu patients report sick. What are the consequences for society, in addition to illness, of this airway infection? Is this year’s flu wave comparable to other years? Three questions and answers.
1
How does the flu wave of this winter relate to that in previous years?
To answer that question it is actually too early. “Every year around this period, flu infections rise,” says Harald Wychgel, spokesperson for the RIVM. “That’s normal. The figures of the flu wave so far are also comparable to those of last year. The epidemic has just begun, so we cannot yet say how things will develop further this year and whether the flu wave will go differently than in previous years. ”
In addition to the flu virus, other airway viruses also go around, including the respiratory syncytial virus (RS virus). That is especially dangerous for babies and toddlers and is also typical for this time of the year.
2
Does the flu wave, in addition to illness, have consequences for society?
Yes, and that was often the case in the past winters. Teachers stand for army classes than in the rest of the year, or have to rely more often for colleagues. Children cannot go to the daycare by supervisors who are sick. Supervisors in care for the disabled receive extra large groups under their responsibility and are therefore short of hands and eyes.
People with heavy flu complaints, often the elderly, can end up in the hospital. This causes extra crowds, which in turn is reinforced by the RS virus that also does not grab itself. The situation is not as serious now as during the coronacrisis, but hospitals already notice something of the extra patients. The elderly departments are packed almost everywhere, said Esther Cornegé-Blokland, chairman of the Dutch Association for Clinical Geriatrics, rather against it Ad.
The extent to which they already have to do something about that crowds differs per hospital. In some hospitals it is looked at whether non-life-saving treatments can be postponed, the NOS wrote on Saturday.
Some hospitals, including HMC Hospital in The Hague, The Hague and Zoetermeerse Haga Hospital and the Rotterdam Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, have opened separate departments to be able to take care of the flu patients and to prevent the virus from spreading over other departments. Omroep West Writes that HMC Westeinde in The Hague has opened a flu department for 24 people. The Haga Hospital opened a flu hall with four beds.
The Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, which also opened an extra department, said Against Omroep Rijnmond: “It’s busier than normal. We see this every year during this period. Sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later. That depends on how the virus develops. “
3
Then the question remains: how can we protect ourselves as well as possible against the flu?
A contamination cannot really be prevented. When someone talks with the flu, coughs and sneezing, the flu viruses spread through the air. Whoever inhales those viruses can become infected. A contamination can also take place via hands and objects.
The RIVM does give advice to reduce the chance of an infection. It is obvious: those who have the flu must stay at home to prevent further spread. But just like with Corona, it is also effective to cough and sneeze in the elbow. And pay attention to hygiene: often washing hands with soap and soap and well ventilation in interior spaces.
In the Netherlands, people over 60, healthcare staff and people who run extra risk due to certain disorders can go to the doctor for a flu shot. There are different variants of the influenza virus. The vaccine also contains the types that now seem to rule.
Getting such a puncture would certainly not be too late. The peak of the flu wave is expected to come.