Covid-19 and influenza trigger similar symptoms and threaten the same populations.
- The Covid-19 virus and the flu virus give a similar clinical picture.
- Certain populations at risk of severe forms, admission to intensive care or death are common to covid-19 and influenza.
- Seniors are currently paying the heaviest price for the flu and Covid-19.
As the vaccination campaign against the flu starts next week and as the Covid-19 epidemic picks up momentum, let us remember that these pathologies have points in common, the identification of which makes it possible to fight effectively against the two viruses in same time.
Respond to similar symptoms
First, the flu and Covid-19 generate similar symptoms: headaches, muscle aches, fatigue. Fever and respiratory signs (chest pain and difficulty breathing) occur secondarily, often two or three days after the first symptoms.
“The Covid-19 virus and the flu virus give a similar clinical picture, marked by respiratory manifestations”, sums up the WHO on its website. “The two diseases are very similar, especially in the early days.” precise in The New Republic Doctor Jean-Daniel Flaysakie.
Identify the same populations at risk
Certain populations at risk of severe forms, admission to intensive care or death are common to covid-19 and influenza, as specified Sanofi-Pasteur (producer of flu vaccines and actor in the research on the vaccine against covid-19) in a press conference. These are people over 65; of people with a chronic illness or weakening their immune system (in particular cardiovascular history, diabetes, obesity, chronic respiratory pathologies, cancers, kidney failure, cirrhosis, splenectomy or sickle cell disease, etc.); pregnant women in all trimesters of pregnancy.
Protect seniors, who pay the heaviest price
Among these people at risk, seniors are currently those who pay the heaviest price for the flu and Covid-19. People aged 60 and over account for 69% of influenza hospitalization days and 59% of influenza hospitalizations in intensive care units. Seniors also constitute about 90% of deaths attributable to influenza. “Thus, the burden of influenza in the elderly population is significant in terms of mortality, whether direct (acute respiratory distress syndrome) or indirect (bacterial superinfection, decompensation of comorbidities) but also in terms of morbidity and functional dependence. , says Sanofi Pasteur.
Regarding the coronavirus, the vast majority of deaths occur in people over 75 years of age. “Between 1er March and September 29, 2020, 92% of deceased Covid-19 cases were aged 65 or over”, describes Public Health France in its latest report.
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