The barrier gestures against Covid-19 have made it possible to avoid other seasonal infections and more serious forms of certain diseases, such as bronchitis, gastroenteritis or the flu.
- The usual seasonal viruses, such as the flu or gastroenteritis, circulate less than in previous winters.
- Bronchitis circulates, but there are far fewer serious cases.
Wearing a mask, regular hand washing, social distancing, closing bars and restaurants… All of these measures have the main objective of curbing the spread of Covid-19 in the population, avoiding contamination as much as possible. But these barrier gestures also have other health consequences. So far, the usual seasonal viruses like influenza or gastroenteritis are circulating less than in previous winters. For these two pathologies as for bronchitis, there were also fewer serious forms.
Decrease in gastroenteritis, for mild and severe forms
Decrease in the number of consultations in town offices, at SOS doctors and in emergency visits due to gastroenteritis: this winter, the gastroenteritis virus is less active in France. This infectious, viral or bacterial disease is usually manifested by diarrhea and vomiting. It is due to a virus which, like SARS-Cov-2, is very contagious, especially on contaminated surfaces or through direct contact between individuals. So, inevitably, all the anti-Covid-19 barrier gestures have also helped to curb this winter pathology. “Barrier measures and especially the use of hydroalcoholic solutions are very effective on the spread of acute gastroenteritis”, explained several doctors during the press conference of the 25th Congress of Pneumology of French Language.
Increase in mild bronchitis, but decrease in severe forms
Significantly different results for bronchitis: the number of medical acts in the city has increased since the beginning of the year, which means that the virus is circulating as much as in previous winters. On the other hand, there is less serious form. Indeed, as for gastroenteritis, there has been a drop in the number of consultations with SOS doctors and visits to the emergency room due to this pathology this winter. Over the previous four years (from 2017 to 2020) there were 83 to 108 emergency room visits per 100,000 people due to acute bronchitis. This year, there have only been 23 visits to the emergency room according to data from Public Health France. Acute bronchitis is a respiratory infection characterized by a dry, sometimes painful cough, which may be associated with fever. It is very common in infants and young children.
No active circulation of influenza viruses this winter and no serious cases
As for the flu, there is “no active circulation of influenza viruses identified by dedicated surveillance networks”, according to the latest epidemiological bulletin published by Public Health France on February 3. Influenza is a highly contagious infectious disease, linked to a virus with a high infectivity for the upper respiratory tract and the lungs. Since October 5, there have been no serious cases in mainland France.
“The lack of flu has been attributed to the barrier measures, but that’s probably not the only reason: the decrease in international travel has certainly also played a role”, explained several experts during the press conference of the 25th Congress of Pneumology of French Language. “Indeed, some South American countries where measures for the control of Covid-19 were insufficient have also seen their flu rates drop sharply”, they argued. But flu epidemics can be more active in February and March. It will therefore be necessary to wait until the end of winter to draw up the true assessment of this pathology.
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