Don't forget a sick bag!

If you are coming to France in the near future, please be aware that gastroenteritis is now present across the whole of France, with the regions of Grand Est, Occitanie and Nouvelle Aquitaine the most affected so far. The illness has spread quickly across the country throughout January, especially after French families had met up for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Gastroenteritis can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, dehydration, and general fatigue. It usually passes within 48 hours. It is not usually dangerous, except for the very young or elderly, or those with compromised immune systems.

Meanwhile cases of ‘flu and bronchiolitis have also spread. Publi Health France has said that six regions of the 13 in France are in a stage of “pre-epidemic” for ‘flu, these are; Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Brittany, Ile-de-France, Occitanie, Pays de la Loire, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. ‘Flu has not spread much this year compared to last year, with just 51 doctor consultations per 100,000 inhabitants reported over the Christmas week. Yet, worse is predicted, as in 2019, the ‘flu season reached its peak in mid-February. Symptoms include a high fever, severe aches and pains, a dry cough, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion, and difficulty sleeping.