Winter infections: what are we talking about?
In winter, many viruses and bacteria responsible for epidemics circulate. According to Santé Publique France and the WHO “ the transmission of seasonal viruses and bacteria occurs through different vectors:
- Virus-laden droplets emitted during coughs, sneezes, or from the sputter and saliva of persons infected with a respiratory virus;
- Direct contact of an infected person’s hands with another person (for example by shaking hands) or contact with objects (toys, quilts, pacifiers, elevator buttons, cutlery, etc.) contaminated with a sick person. »
Pneumonia, flu, Covid-19: what are we at risk?
Little known to the general public, pneumococcal infections are caused by bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. They are responsible in particular for pulmonary complications, known as pneumonia, of which they are the primary cause.
« Pneumonia is a potentially serious disease, especially in people over the age of 65 and/or weakened by a chronic disease. “Explains Dr. Paul Loubet, infectious disease doctor at the university hospital of Nîmes. Pneumococcus is therefore responsible for 10,000 deaths each year.
The flu epidemic affects between 2 and 6 million people each year. Over 90% of flu-related deaths occur in people over the age of 65.
As for SARS-CoV-2, it has been responsible for more than 2 million deaths in Europe since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, mainly among the elderly and people at risk.
Whether it’s influenza, pneumococcus or even SARS-CoV-2, complications are more frequent and more severe in people at risk. For example, the risk of developing a pneumococcal infection is multiplied by 4 in the presence of a chronic disease and by 23 to 48 in people who are immunocompromised due to cancer. When it comes to SARS-CoV-2, the risks of hospitalization are more than 8 times higher among those aged 85 and over than those aged 40-44, and hospital deaths from Covid-19 almost 200 times higher.
Who are the people most at risk?
« An at-risk person is a person who, due to their age or a chronic condition such as diabetes, renal, cardiac or respiratory insufficiency, will be at increased risk of developing a severe form of the disease and/or complications. », says Dr. Paul Loubet.
“During the pandemic we used this term a lot, but still today many people do not consider themselves at risk. And remember also that it is possible to accumulate these infections, thus exposing yourself to even greater risks. This is why co-vaccination is highly recommended. A person at risk may very well receive flu, SARS-Cov-2 and pneumococcal vaccines on the same day.
Are we sufficiently protected against winter infections?
In the context of a still active circulation of SARS-CoV-2, and with winter approaching, only 41% of 60-79 year olds and 53.5% of 80 and over among those entitled (according to the time since the last injection) had received a second booster on November 14, 2022. More generally, the percentage of people vaccinated against these infections is still too low.
« The problem is vaccination coverage confirms Dr. Loubet. ” Against the flu, we have painfully reached 52.7% in 2021/2022. For pneumococcal vaccination we have surprisingly low figures, with less than 5% of adults at risk of being vaccinated. Regarding SARS-Cov-2, 10% of people over 75 are not vaccinated and only 40% have a complete vaccination schedule (having received a 2nd booster) ».
