Two and a half years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, most health measures – such as the compulsory wearing of a mask indoors – have been abandoned in France. While some saw it as a liberation, others kept in mind the potential of these measures to protect other infections such as flu or gastro, common winter epidemics.
In a report published in April 2021 and covering the period from November 2019 to April 2020 – i.e. at the time of the first confinement – Santé Publique France had indeed noted a “historic drop” never observed gastro in the last ten years. A drop explained thanks to the application of barrier gestures, whereas usually every year, gastrointestinal becomes the real nightmare of many parents.
In the heart of the pandemic, the Covid had even caused the disappearance of the traditional flu epidemic. “The flu would have caused 3,680 deaths of all ages during the 2019-2020 epidemic.indicated a report by Public Health France, a very low figure compared to the usual 10,000 deaths per year.
Bronchiolitisnasopharyngitis, angina, gastroenteritis… To avoid infections, you know what you have to do. Every year, from the beginning of September, the viruses return, but you now have the keys to limit transmission as much as possible. Hand washing, isolation in case of flu symptoms, ventilation of your interior… Here are six (simple) reflexes to have to stay healthy.
Source :
- Don’t want to get sick this winter? The pandemic health lives to keep long term, The GuardianJune 2022
- French Public Health.
