[Influenza, influenza-like illness: from theory to practice].
In France, there are large discrepancies regarding flu between the severe disease described by Health Authorities and the disease that people face, considered as usual and benign. Flu prevention is useful, mainly through vaccination. For a well-established influenza-like illness, both individual measures dedicated to the limitation of the disease propagation and symptomatic treatment are to be initiated. Few clinical data are available regarding the most often used treatments for influenza-like illness (paracetamol, homeopathic and symptomatic treatments). The analysis did not show any decrease in the chances of success for patients with more often used drugs, either being under medical prescription, pharmacist advice or self-medication. In front of an influenza-like illness, the recommendations for daily practice can be based on 2 well-defined clinical situations: a specific management for patients at risk, and the influenza-like illness symptoms relief for the others, using a treatment specific for each patient.
AP-HP, hôpital Saint-Antoine, unité de santé publique, UPMC université Paris 06, UMR-S 707, Inserm U707, 75012 Paris, France.
Fabrice
F
Carrat
Médecine générale, 75014 Paris, France.
Bernard
B
Avouac
Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, service de médecine interne de réhabilitation et service de pharmacologie et toxicologie cliniques, 1205 Genève, Suisse.
Christine
C
Cedraschi
Cyklad Group, 69140 Rillieux-la-Pape, France.
Gérard
G
Duru
Médecine générale homéopathie, 69000 Lyon, France.
Gwenaël
G
Greppo
Médecine générale, 69130 Écully, France.
Vincent
V
Libourel
69110 Sainte-Foy-Lès-Lyons, France.
Jacques
J
Vancells
Centre hospitalier du Mans, gériatrie, 72000 Le Mans, France. Electronic address: geriatrejm@yahoo.fr.
Jean-Marie
JM
Vétel
D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*