Catching the flu for the holidays? ‘Don’t sit next to grandma with snot’

Do you suffer from sudden fever, headache and dry cough? These are complaints that may indicate the flu, according to the Nivel research institute website. Together with RIVM and Erasmus MC, that institution announced today that it officially exists at flu epidemic. Research shows that 52 out of 100,000 people visit their GP with flu-like symptoms.

Flu epidemics occur every year, according to experts. “Christmas is always a notorious time,” says medical microbiologist Jan Kluytmans of UMC Utrecht. “This is the time of year when viruses spread. They need the cold to make people sick.”

Epidemiologist Patricia Bruijning from UMC Utrecht is also not surprised by the flu wave. “Basically, we have a flu epidemic every winter,” she says. “Incidentally, there are several viruses out there right now, the flu virus is just one of them.” Other viruses that are now making people sick are, for example, the RS virusrhinovirus and coronavirus.

The flu virus never completely disappeared, but there were fewer cases of flu due to the coronavirus measures. For example, no flu epidemic was recorded in the winter of 2019-2020 after the corona outbreak. The same goes for the winter that followed.

“Those measures like staying at home, coughing at the elbow, and hand hygiene also help against the spread of the flu virus,” says Kluytmans. He points out that corona is many times more contagious than the flu.

There was also a flu epidemic last winter. That surge started in March, according to Nivel data, when most of the corona measures were released.

So this year the start of the flu season has been brought forward, just before the holidays. This poses a risk, particularly for the elderly and people in frail health, because it can make them more seriously ill.

“If there are vulnerable people in your environment, you have to pay attention,” says Bruijning. “Sit with snot and a tight throat next to your vulnerable grandmother during a Christmas dinner, I wouldn’t do it.”

“If you have flu symptoms, be careful,” Rianne van Gageldonk, an epidemiologist and head of the respiratory infections department at the RIVM also told NPO Radio 1 program News and Co. “Certainly in contact with vulnerable people, such as the elderly and people with previous pathologies”.

So watch out for the vulnerable. At the same time, Bruijning also understands that after two years of corona, people are eager to celebrate Christmas together. “If you’re young and in good health, you can agree that it’s okay if there’s a sniffer at the table. But don’t be surprised if you start sniffing after Christmas.”

Just like corona, flu cannot be completely prevented. “People can also be contagious before they have symptoms,” Bruijning says. “The only thing you can really do to not get the virus is sit on a desert island until summer comes back,” she jokes.

According to Kluytmans, it is important for sick people to take steps not to infect others. “So don’t go to Christmas parties only if you have complaints,” he says.

The elderly, people with health problems, and health care workers can get the flu shot. “This reduces the chance of getting the flu, and if you get it, you’ll get less seriously ill,” says Kluijtmans.

Once you have the flu, there isn’t much you can do about it. “Go away,” both doctors say. “Only if you are very ill, short of breath or can no longer eat or drink and are getting weaker and weaker should you contact your doctor,” says Bruijning. “Pain relief like acetaminophen to feel a little better is always allowed.”