With thewinter and its share of seasonal illnesses, health authorities reiterate an essential recommendation: in the event of fever or pain linked to a winter infection, it is preferable to avoid certain anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen. We explain why.
During a cold or flu, in case of fever or illness febrilenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such asaspirinibuprofen, ketoprofen, may seem harmless and are often used to quickly relieve fever and pain.
Yet, ” they can hide the symptoms from a bacterial infection (streptococcus, pneumococcus) and delay appropriate treatment. THE paracetamol is always preferred as first intention », Recalls the Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) in a press release on December 17.
Some fever medications, such as anti-inflammatories, can make an infection worse. © Ground Picture, Shutterstock.com
When the cure is worse than the disease
The figures are alarming: between January 2019 and June 2023, 162 serious cases linked to ibuprofen and 54 linked to ketoprofen were reported in France. These complications have affected people of all ages, including healthy children and young adults.
These infections, often due to bacteria such as streptococci or pneumococci, have caused serious complications: sepsis (extreme response of the body to infection: fever, tachycardiarapid breathing, confusion), septic shock, meningitis or severe skin infections.
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Even more worrying, 12 deaths have been recorded as a result of these complications, including healthy children and young adults.
Most often, people had taken ibuprofen for flu symptoms or ENT infections such as angina or an ear infection, ketoprofen to relieve joint pain.
Why does paracetamol remain the safest treatment?
Faced with these risks, experts are clear: paracetamol must remain the first-line drug to treat fever or pain in the event of a common infection (angina, rhinopharyngite, sinusitis, Plaguedental or skin infection), syndrome flu or varicella.
NSAIDs should only be considered as second line, and only after medical advice.
