A common disease refers to any pathology frequently encountered in primary care, whether infectious, chronic, or functional. Respiratory infections, digestive disorders, STIs, cardiovascular diseases: these conditions share a common point. Their management relies on a rapid identification of symptoms and prevention tailored to each patient’s profile.
Bacterial STIs in France: a documented increase since 2021
Sexually transmitted infections are not static over time. According to data from the Sentinelles network relayed by PasseportSanté in September 2026, the incidence of bacterial STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) has significantly increased in metropolitan France between 2021 and 2024, with a rise of up to +45% for gonorrhea during this period.
This trend is partly explained by the resumption of risky behaviors after the Covid-19 pandemic and by a normalization of certain STIs wrongly considered benign. However, untreated syphilis can cause severe neurological damage, and undiagnosed chlamydia infections remain a major cause of tubal infertility.
Regular screening with a doctor or at a free information, screening, and diagnostic center (CeGIDD) is the most effective lever. Antibiotic treatments exist, but their effectiveness depends on early diagnosis, as some strains of gonococcus show increasing resistance to standard treatments. To better identify common pathologies, the diseases referenced on Zone Santé allow for cross-referencing symptoms and diagnostic leads.
Respiratory infections and seasonal flu: symptoms to distinguish
Flu, cold, bronchitis, pneumonia: these respiratory infections are the primary reason for consultations in general medicine during the cold months. Their symptoms often overlap, complicating diagnosis without clinical examination.
Flu versus common viral infection
Seasonal flu is characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, intense body aches, and marked fatigue. A cold, on the other hand, develops gradually with a runny nose, sneezing, and rarely exceeds 38 °C.
The 2024-2025 season illustrated the real impact of flu on the French healthcare system, with a notable increase in hospitalizations and associated mortality. Treatment relies on rest, hydration, and antipyretics. Antibiotics are only indicated when a bacterial superinfection is confirmed.
Prevention of respiratory infections
- Annual flu vaccination remains recommended for at-risk individuals (over 65 years old, pregnant women, immunocompromised patients, or those with chronic diseases).
- Washing hands with soap for at least twenty seconds has been documented to reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses.
- Daily ventilation of enclosed spaces limits the concentration of suspended viral particles, an underestimated contamination factor in heated homes during winter.
Common chronic diseases: diagnosis and long-term follow-up
Chronic diseases (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart failure) do not result from a single acute episode. They require regular medical follow-up and long-term treatment, often for life.
Diagnosis relies on precise biological or functional examinations. Type 2 diabetes is confirmed by repeated fasting blood glucose levels exceeding the pathological threshold. Hypertension requires multiple blood pressure measurements before any treatment is initiated.
Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
A national strategy to combat cardiovascular diseases has been implemented in France, focusing on reducing modifiable risk factors. Diet, regular physical activity, and smoking cessation are the three pillars of this prevention.
The National Nutrition Health Program (PNNS) structures these recommendations around several concrete axes. Reducing the consumption of salt, added sugars, and saturated fats has a measurable effect on blood pressure and lipid profile, even before any medication intervention.
Arboviruses in metropolitan France: dengue, chikungunya, and summer surveillance
Vector-borne diseases are no longer confined to tropical areas. In metropolitan France, indigenous cases of chikungunya and dengue are now reported every summer, linked to the presence of the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) across much of the territory.
Public Health France reported in 2026 about thirty indigenous cases of chikungunya, five cases of dengue, and around thirty cases of West Nile virus. The typical symptoms of chikungunya combine sudden fever and debilitating joint pain, sometimes persisting for several weeks.
- Eliminating stagnant water around homes (saucers, gutters, tires) limits the larval habitats of the tiger mosquito.
- Wearing long clothing and using appropriate skin repellents reduce the risk of bites during the summer.
- Prompt consultation in case of fever after returning from an endemic area or during the viral circulation season allows for early diagnosis and mandatory reporting.
These arboviruses do not yet have a specific antiviral treatment. Management remains symptomatic, focused on analgesics (paracetamol) and hydration. Self-medication with anti-inflammatories is contraindicated in cases of suspected dengue due to the hemorrhagic risk.
Surveillance of these infections relies on a coordinated network between city doctors, ARS, and Public Health France. This system allows for the rapid identification of active outbreaks and the initiation of targeted mosquito control operations before local transmission amplifies.
