Influenza, bronchiolitis, COVID-19, pneumococcal infections: preventing respiratory infections as winter approaches

As the winter season approaches, the Ministry of Health would like to remind the public of the importance of protecting themselves against the most common respiratory infections in Luxembourg, such as influenza, RSV bronchiolitis, other viruses responsible for respiratory tract infections and COVID-19. They are all contagious and can cause epidemic waves. There can also be superinfections caused by bacteria such as pneumococcus, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in Europe. In winter, these infections can affect a large proportion of the population, leading to saturation of the medical and hospital systems.

According to figures from the Kannerklinik at the Centre hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), between November and December 2022, 263 children under the age of 2 had to be admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis. In addition, during the 2022-2023 winter season (which runs from October 2022 to May 2023), 53,646 cases of COVID-19 and 10,709 cases of influenza were recorded.

In this context, the Ministry of Health is organising an awareness-raising campaign (posters, radio adverts, social networks, etc.) to prevent the spread of these viruses, by informing people about the precautions to take and the vaccinations currently available to protect against respiratory infections.

Preventive measures against respiratory infections: vaccination and hygiene measures

The viruses responsible for bronchiolitis, influenza and COVID-19 are easily transmitted from person to person by droplets (caused by coughing or sneezing) or by direct contact with hands or an object contaminated by the secretions of an infected person. Confined, poorly-ventilated and crowded places are particularly conducive to the transmission of these diseases.

Vaccination is an effective way of protecting against respiratory infections and the serious complications they can cause. People at risk are encouraged to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19. It's recommended to consult your general practitioner for advice on whether vaccination against these infections is advisable. In addition, vaccination against pneumococcus (which can complicate certain viral infections) can reduce serious superinfections such as pneumonia in children under 5 and people aged 65 and over.

A new treatment, administered by intramuscular injection to prevent infections caused by the bronchiolitis virus, has arrived in Luxembourg. Starting with the 2023-2024 winter season, it can be offered to newborns as soon as they are born in the maternity ward.

A number of barrier measures are also recommended to limit the transmission of these diseases, including regular hand-washing, airing out indoor spaces, limiting close contact or wearing a mask, particularly with people who are ill, and avoiding crowds and gatherings during the winter season.

Compliance with these preventive measures will help to limit the spread of viruses and relieve the pressure on healthcare systems, which are under heavy strain during the winter months.

For further information on preventive measures and vaccination against respiratory infections, consult the "Grippe saisonnière", "Bronchiolite", "Coronavirus" and "Infections à pneumocoques" sections in the "Espace Citoyen" of the sante.lu website.

New recommendations from the Higher Council for Infectious Diseases (Conseil supérieur des maladies infectieuses, CSMI) regarding vaccination against COVID-19 and the new immunisation against the bronchiolitis virus have been published and are available on sante.lu.

What are these infections and what are the symptoms?

Seasonal flu is an infectious and highly contagious viral disease that occurs every year. The most common symptoms of flu are a sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a cough. Symptoms generally disappear after a maximum of 7 days.

Flu can cause complications, either directly or because it encourages superinfection by bacteria such as pneumococcus. Otitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, meningitis and, more rarely, encephalitis may occur. Complications occur more frequently in young children and the elderly, as well as in people suffering from other chronic illnesses that predispose them to infections, particularly respiratory infections.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptoms range from mild to severe, with varying degrees of involvement of the respiratory tract. It is accompanied by fever, cough, breathing difficulties and fatigue. Loss of sense of smell and/or taste, digestive symptoms and skin rashes are other symptoms of the disease. The elderly, pregnant women and people with certain pre-existing chronic conditions are more vulnerable and exposed to the risk of complications.

RSV bronchiolitis is a very common respiratory infection in infants under the age of two. It appears mainly during the winter months. It is caused by a virus called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes inflammation of the respiratory tract: nose, throat and bronchi. In infants, the bronchial tubes are small and are more easily blocked by secretions, requiring the child to make sometimes considerable efforts to breathe. A baby who has difficulty breathing can quickly become tired because his muscle reserves are insufficient.

The Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus bacteria can cause relatively mild infections such as ear infections and sinusitis, more serious infections such as pneumonia and invasive infections such as meningitis.

Pneumococcus is part of the microbial flora of the throat and nose of many people (30-60% depending on age). However, it can sometimes cause infection, especially in the case of viral infections such as influenza, which damage the cells in the respiratory tract and allow the pneumococcus to become more virulent. These infections can be fatal or leave serious after-effects.

The conjugate vaccines offered to children and adults aged 65 and over provide protection against infections caused by the most aggressive pneumococci, which are the main cause of serious forms of infection.

If you have any questions about vaccination or if you have any doubts about your symptoms, you should consult your general practitioner.

Press release by the Ministry of Health