The number of people in the Netherlands with a respiratory infection is increasing. More and more people have symptoms. A significant portion of these people have the flu virus (influenza virus). The annual flu epidemic seems imminent. Besides the flu virus, other viruses also cause respiratory complaints.

More people with respiratory complaints

The proportion of participants in Infectieradar (external link) with respiratory complaints has increased sharply in the past week. The number of people visiting the GP with flu-like symptoms rose last week to 51 per 100,000 inhabitants. This is above the threshold of 46 per 100,000 inhabitants for increased flu activity in general practice. The week before, this was 40 per 100,000 inhabitants.

More flu virus

Experts from RIVM, Erasmus MC and Nivel see the flu virus increasing. Participants in Infectieradar who send a throat and nose sample when experiencing respiratory complaints more often have the flu. Last week, 13% of the samples contained the flu virus. The week before, this was 12%. 

Also in the samples taken by GPs from the Nivel monitoring stations (external link) from some of their patients with respiratory complaints, the flu virus is increasingly found. In the past week, the proportion of samples with the flu virus was 37%. Also, in laboratories in the Netherlands, the percentage of samples with the flu virus is rising. Last week, this percentage rose from 18% to 22%.

Other viruses also cause complaints

Besides the flu virus, there are other viruses that cause respiratory symptoms such as a blocked nose, sneezing, coughing and sore throat. Sometimes with fever. These are mainly seasonal coronaviruses, human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and the RS virus Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Flu often progresses more severely. The illness starts quickly and can be accompanied by chills, runny nose, headache, muscle pain and high fever (up to 39 degrees Celsius or higher). The fever usually lasts three to five days. Recovery can take several weeks.

Advice for complaints

You cannot completely prevent getting a respiratory infection. With the following general advice, you can reduce the chance of passing the virus to someone else:  

  • Are you sick? Stay home.
  • Are you not sick but have symptoms? Work from home if possible. Consult your employer if necessary.
  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
  • Keep distance from others.
  • Avoid contact with people who can become seriously ill from a respiratory infection.
  • If contact is necessary (for example, in caregiving), wear a mouth-nose mask.

Good hygiene helps limit spread and can help prevent you from getting sick yourself. Therefore, wash your hands often and well with water and soap and ventilate indoor spaces.