State of affairs influenza and other acute respiratory infections. The number of people with the flu is on the rise in the Netherlands. But there is still no epidemic. The number of people visiting the general practitioner with flu-like symptoms is slowly increasing: last week (December 5-11, 2022) it was 30 people per 100,000 – reports the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
In samples taken by general practitioners from Nivel sentinel stations from patients with acute respiratory tract infection, the number of samples with influenza virus has increased. Last week, 14% of samples tested positive for the flu virus. Three times (4%) type A(H3N2), five times (7%) type A(H1N1)pdm09 and twice (3%) type B (Victoria line) were found. In addition to the flu, other viruses are also detected. Specifically, human metapneumovirus (16-fold, 23%), RS (respiratory syncytial) virus (13-fold, 19%), and rhinovirus (9-fold, 13%). The number of reported influenza A and B virus detections is also increasing in the weekly virology reports.
The flu is caused by the influenza virus (influenza virus). It is an infectious respiratory disease. People often call all kinds of illnesses “flu” with complaints like colds, coughs, and fevers. But these disturbances can also occur with other viruses, such as the corona virus. The information on this page only pertains to the real flu, which is caused by the flu virus.
What is flu? The flu is caused by the influenza virus (influenza virus). It is an infectious respiratory disease. You can infect someone else by coughing and sneezing. Inflammation of the airways can make you sick. Suddenly high fever, headache, body aches and chills. Influenza occurs every year in the Netherlands, usually in the winter months, we call it seasonal flu. Since there are different types of flu viruses that are constantly changing, someone can get the flu again.
What are the symptoms of the flu? Influenza is a disease in which the mucous membrane of the airways is inflamed. Often starts very suddenly with: chills, sniffling, headache, severe body aches and fatigue, sore throat and dry cough, fever (high)
The fever can rise to 39°C or more within 12 hours and usually lasts 3 to 5 days. Full recovery takes 1 to 3 weeks. The flu is usually harmless and most people recover without medication. Some people are more likely to become seriously ill from the flu virus. They can become very short of breath or get pneumonia. This is especially true for the elderly and people with a chronic illness. People who already have heart and lung ailments may experience more ailments from the flu.
How do you get the flu? Influenza viruses are found in droplets of mucus, mucus and saliva. Viruses are spread by talking, coughing and sneezing.
Influenza virus monitoring. The RIVM follows the development of the flu virus in many different ways. We call it surveillance. To this end, we work closely with Nivel, the Erasmus Medical Center (ErasmusMC (Erasmus Medical Center)) and laboratories in the Netherlands. We keep an eye on how many people there are with flu-like symptoms in the Netherlands. And let’s look at which type of flu virus is most prevalent. The current situation on the spread of influenza in the Netherlands is on the page facts and numbers.
How common is the flu in the Netherlands? The frequency of the flu varies from year to year. The flu outbreak in the 2021/2022 flu season started later than in previous seasons and lasted 13 weeks. Around 127,378 people went to their GP with flu-like symptoms. This was less than usual: many people with these ailments had themselves tested for the corona virus at the GGD (Municipal Health Service) or had a self-test and did not go to the general practitioner. Between October 2021 and May 2022, approximately 795,000 people are estimated to have had the flu. People became particularly ill from influenza type A virus (H3N2). The current situation on the spread of influenza in the Netherlands is on the page facts and numbers.
Influenza in COVID-19. Influenza and COVID-19 are both respiratory infections. But they are caused by different viruses. Both viruses are spread through droplets released when you cough or sneeze. Both viruses also cause fever, cold and cough, and sometimes pneumonia. Basic coronavirus advice also works to prevent the spread of the flu virus. Washing your hands regularly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping your distance reduce your risk of passing the virus on to others. Keep this in mind, especially when dealing with vulnerable groups of people. They can get very sick from the flu virus.
