The flu virus is currently wreaking havoc across the Netherlands, leaving many people feeling utterly devastated. While it’s not yet officially classified as an epidemic,experts warn that the country is “well on it’s way” to one.According to Ted van Essen, a flu expert and chairman of the Dutch Immunization Foundation, “we are heading towards an epidemic.”
Daantje, a 26-year-old from Reuver, Limburg, shared her experience: “I think I will do well this year.” Her optimism was short-lived. After her mother fell ill with the flu, Daantje soon followed suit. “Everything my mother got, I got a day later. It realy is a severe flu,” she said, describing symptoms like sniffling, chills, and a fever that spiked to 40 degrees Celsius.
The Netherlands is currently in the early stages of what could become a full-blown flu epidemic. For a flu epidemic to be declared, more than 53 in 100,000 Dutch people must visit their GP with flu symptoms for two consecutive weeks. The influenza virus must also be detected in a critically important number of patients. As of now, the country has met this threshold for one week, according to figures from the Nivel research centre for healthcare.
The elderly are particularly vulnerable, with wards across the Netherlands reportedly full. The Dutch Association for Clinical Geriatrics (NVKG) confirmed this to RTL news, highlighting the strain on healthcare resources.
But the flu isn’t the only virus circulating this winter. Ted van Essen notes that the RS virus,norovirus,common cold virus,and even COVID-19 are making the rounds. Though, COVID-19 cases are less prevalent this season, as the virus primarily emerged in the autumn.
Yvonne, a 55-year-old from Zevenaar, Gelderland, was surprised to test positive for COVID-19. “I was quite shocked when I saw a positive test,” she admitted. “That was a moment of realisation: oh yes, that is still possible.”
The situation remains fluid, and experts caution against drawing conclusions too soon. “It’s still too early to say whether the complaints of the influenza virus this year will indeed be more severe,” Van Essen explained. “You can’t actually say that until the flu wave is over.”
Key Points at a Glance
Table of Contents
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Current Status | Not yet an epidemic, but “well on its way” |
| Threshold for Epidemic| >53 in 100,000 GP visits with flu symptoms for 2 consecutive weeks |
| Current GP Visits | >53 in 100,000 for 1 week |
| Other Circulating Viruses | RS virus, norovirus, common cold, COVID-19 (less prevalent) |
| Impact on Elderly | Elderly wards full across the Netherlands |
As the flu season progresses, the Netherlands remains on high alert. With multiple viruses in circulation, the coming weeks will be critical in determining the full extent of this winter’s health challenges. Stay informed and take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.
The Flu: Why It Hits So Hard and How to Recover
When the flu strikes, it can feel like a relentless force, leaving even the most energetic individuals bedridden. Yvonne,a normally active person,describes her experience: “I feel really bad,and it just keeps getting worse. I’ve been working from home a little bit, but it’s actually not feasible.” Her symptoms? Snot, coughing, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue.”Walking up stairs takes too much effort. I really hoist myself from the couch to my bed and back again. I’m normally always Doortje Dartel, I don’t know myself like that.”
Daantje, another flu sufferer, echoes this sentiment: “I’m normally never sick. And certainly not for that long,at most a cold for a few days.This is really unique.”
Why the Flu Feels So Severe
According to flu expert Van Essen, this overwhelming experience is not uncommon. “Every year, half a million people in our country get the influenza virus. Actually, if you are healthy, you have a 7 percent chance of getting it.This means that you cannot get the flu for about fifteen years. If you than once, you quickly think: I really got it right, this is abnormal. But maybe you had it fifteen years ago and have already forgotten it.”
Once you’ve had the flu, there’s a silver lining.Van Essen explains that people are frequently enough ‘free from the flu for at least a few years’ after recovering. Additionally, having one particular virus can make you less susceptible to other flu-causing viruses for a while.”We don’t know exactly how that works,” says van Essen.
Prevention and Recovery: What Works?
When it comes to preventing the flu, Van Essen notes that there aren’t many foolproof methods. “Eating fruit doesn’t really help. It’s not necessary to really crawl into bed, as people say in an old-fashioned way. It’s especially significant to drink plenty of fluids,because fever removes moisture from your body. So keep an eye on whether you’re urinating enough.”
Hydration is key, and what you drink matters less than the quantity. “What you drink doesn’t matter: tea, water, lemonade, all good,” Van Essen advises. However, alcohol should be avoided as it dehydrates the body. Smoking is also detrimental, especially when a virus is circulating.
For those already battling the flu,Van essen recommends taking one or two paracetamol to alleviate muscle pain. “That always works for me.And the motto is: get sick. Pamper yourself.”
Yvonne and Daantje have embraced this advice.Yvonne sleeps a lot,living from nap to nap,while Daantje has temporarily paused her webshop operations. “I do deliver parcels, but in moderation.The rest of the time I mainly sit on the couch with tea. hopefully this will be over soon.”
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Flu Frequency | Healthy individuals have a 7% chance of getting the flu annually. |
| Post-Flu Immunity | Recovery often grants immunity for a few years. |
| Hydration | Drink plenty of fluids (tea, water, lemonade) to combat dehydration. |
| Avoid | Alcohol and smoking,as they worsen symptoms. |
| Recovery tips | Rest, pamper yourself, and use paracetamol for muscle pain. |
Final Thoughts
The flu can be a debilitating experience, but understanding its patterns and taking the right steps can ease the recovery process. as Van Essen puts it, “Pamper yourself” and let your body heal. For more insights on flu prevention, check out how the flu shot works.
Stay informed and download the RTL News & Entertainment app for Android or iOS to keep up with the latest health updates.
The Flu: Why It Hits So Hard and How to Recover
When the flu strikes, it can feel like a relentless force, leaving even the most energetic individuals bedridden. Yvonne, a normally active person, describes her experience: ”I feel really bad, and it just keeps getting worse. I’ve been working from home a little bit, but it’s actually not feasible.” Her symptoms? snot, coughing, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue. “Walking up stairs takes too much effort. I really hoist myself from the couch to my bed and back again. I’m normally always Doortje Dartel, I don’t know myself like that.”
Daantje,another flu sufferer,echoes this sentiment: “I’m normally never sick. And certainly not for that long, at most a cold for a few days. This is really unique.”
Why the Flu Feels so Severe
According to flu expert Van Essen, this overwhelming experience is not uncommon. ”Every year, half a million people in our country get the influenza virus. Actually, if you are healthy, you have a 7 percent chance of getting it. This means that you cannot get the flu for about fifteen years. If you then once, you quickly think: I really got it right, this is abnormal. But maybe you had it fifteen years ago and have already forgotten it.”
Once you’ve had the flu,there’s a silver lining. Van Essen explains that people are frequently enough ‘free from the flu for at least a few years’ after recovering. Additionally, having one particular virus can make you less susceptible to other flu-causing viruses for a while. “We don’t know exactly how that works,” says van Essen.
prevention and recovery: What Works?
When it comes to preventing the flu, Van Essen notes that there aren’t many foolproof methods.”Eating fruit doesn’t really help. it’s not necessary to really crawl into bed, as people say in an old-fashioned way. It’s especially notable to drink plenty of fluids, because fever removes moisture from yoru body. So keep an eye on whether you’re urinating enough.”
Hydration is key, and what you drink matters less than the quantity. “What you drink doesn’t matter: tea, water, lemonade, all good,” Van Essen advises. However, alcohol should be avoided as it dehydrates the body. Smoking is also detrimental, especially when a virus is circulating.
For those already battling the flu, van essen recommends taking one or two paracetamol to alleviate muscle pain. “That always works for me. And the motto is: get sick. Pamper yourself.”
Yvonne and Daantje have embraced this advice. Yvonne sleeps a lot, living from nap to nap, while Daantje has temporarily paused her webshop operations. “I do deliver parcels, but in moderation. The rest of the time I mainly sit on the couch with tea. Hopefully, this will be over soon.”
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Flu Frequency | healthy individuals have a 7% chance of getting the flu annually. |
| Post-Flu Immunity | Recovery often grants immunity for a few years. |
| Hydration | Drink plenty of fluids (tea, water, lemonade) to combat dehydration. |
| Avoid | Alcohol and smoking, as they worsen symptoms. |
| Recovery Tips | Rest, pamper yourself, and use paracetamol for muscle pain. |
Final Thoughts
The flu can be a debilitating experience, but understanding its patterns and taking the right steps can ease the recovery process. As Van Essen puts it, ”Pamper yourself” and let your body heal. For more insights on flu prevention, check out how the flu shot works.
Stay informed and download the RTL News & Entertainment app for android or iOS to keep up with the latest health updates.
