This French Life

Category: Health

  • Mon Espace Santé lets you manage health data

    Health information, tablets and bandages
    THE online health service, Mon Espace Santé, provides a digital locker that lets you store and share your medical documents such as x-rays and prescriptions.

    Mon Espace Santé has been developed by l’Assurance Maladie and the Ministère de la Santé to provide a secure, online space where people can mange and be in coutrol of their health data.

    Once registered you can provide as much or as little information as you wish, but the idea behind the site is to enable medical professionals to access your medical records seamlessly.

    But you are in control of what medical records they can access as they must have your permission, however, if you are in an accident and unconscious then details can be accessed by medical staff.

    Although if you have blocked access to certain documents previously then staff won’t be able to read these.

    This service may sound similar to the Dossier Médical Partagé (DMP) system that some people may have registered with, but this is set to be closed and the information will be moved over to the Mon Espace Santé online space.

    Exchange of health details

    Mon Espace Santé information exchange

    One of the key features of the service is that it will be easier to contact and stay in touch with GPs and other health professionals via an online calendar and a clear timescale of health care events.

    When information is accessed it is recorded within your account, letting you see who has read over your information and what they have read, you will be notified via email the first time your doctor wants to connect and access your information.

    Insurance companies, businesses and employers will not be able to access your information and it would be illegal if they did.

    People with younger children can also connect their own accounts with those of their children, ensuring you are in touch with their health issues and medication.

  • Maps shows quality of tap water across France

    Water running from kitchen tap
    GENERALLY the tap water in France is safe to drink, as it is the public service the most studied, controlled and measured by the French authorities.

    Water testing is undertaken by the regional health authorities and looks at the quality of tap water at the level of individual communes.

    Details of the water quality are available at your local mairie, the company that supplies your water and usually an annual overview is provided via your water bill.

    Tap water quality

    But an online map is also available that lets you narrow down your search to an individual commune and the results provide an overall view as well as detailed analysis of the findings.

    The map covering water and drinking water quality lets you begin your search by clicking on the region in which you live.

    From there you can then click through to your département and then to your commune.

    The results page will show you information covering your area such as the date of the most recent test and the authorities who have responsibility for your water and tap water quality.

    From there you can see an overall report on the quality of the water in your commune and then a detailed analysis of what has been found in recent analysis.

    Consumer watchdog map

    Another map is available from the consumer body, UFC-Que Choisir, which again begins with a search down to the individual commune you want information for.

    Water quality map
    This map is not as detailed but provides a simpler way of seeing the tap water quality of where you live.

    The map uses coloured water drops to show the quality of the water in your chosen area and the Légende button on the right of the map shows that a green water drop is good down to a black drop that signals very poor quality.

    Nitrates and pesticides

    Detailed tests are carried out to detect the presence of nitrates in the water of France, with measurements taken along the chain of water production.

    Pesticide use is also measured covering agriculture but also extending into industry use, as well as the use of herbicides on public and private grounds.

    A little further down the webpage of the first Ministère de la Santé map you can find reports into nitrates and pesticides over recent years.

    The importance of valuing our water resources seems to grow every day and how we need to be aware of how we interact with the natural world.

    Water quality standards in France

    France has strict water quality standards that are regulated by the Ministry of Health. The standards are in accordance with European Union regulations and the World Health Organization guidelines. The main goal of these standards is to ensure that tap water is safe to drink and free from harmful contaminants.

    The French water quality standards cover a wide range of parameters, such as microbiological, chemical, and physical properties. Some of the most important parameters include:

    • Coliform bacteria
    • Nitrates
    • Lead
    • Chlorine
    • pH

    Water quality is monitored regularly by the local water authorities, and the results are published annually. The water quality reports are available to the public, and they provide detailed information about the water quality in each region.

    Water use in France
    The French government also encourages the use of tap water over bottled water, as it is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The tap water in France is considered safe to drink, and it is widely available in public places, such as restaurants and cafes. However, some people may prefer to use water filters to improve the taste of the tap water.

    Testing and monitoring of tap water in France

    The French government has a rigorous system in place for testing and monitoring tap water to ensure that it is safe to drink. The Ministry of Health is responsible for setting the standards for water quality, and the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) are responsible for implementing them.

    Dark clouds on horizon
    Water quality is monitored at every stage of the treatment process, from the source to the tap. Samples are taken regularly and tested for a range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, pesticides, and heavy metals. If any issues are detected, appropriate measures are taken to rectify the problem.

    The results of water quality testing are published regularly on the Ministry of Health’s website, so consumers can check the quality of their local tap water. The website also provides information on any water quality issues that have been identified and the measures that have been taken to address them.

    In addition to the government’s monitoring system, water companies are also required to carry out regular testing of their own. They are required to test the water at the source, at the treatment plant, and at various points in the distribution network. The results of these tests are also published on the government’s website.

    Overall, the testing and monitoring system in France ensures that tap water is safe to drink for the majority of the population. However, it is important to note that some regions may have issues with their water supply, such as contamination from agricultural runoff or old lead pipes. In these cases, consumers may need to take additional precautions, such as using a water filter or buying bottled water.

    Health risks associated with drinking French tap water

    While it is generally safe to drink tap water in France, there are a few health risks associated with consuming contaminated water. Some of these risks include:

    • Bacterial infections: Contaminated tap water can cause bacterial infections such as salmonella, shigella, and E. coli. These infections can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever.
    • Viral infections: Tap water contaminated with viruses can cause illnesses such as hepatitis A and norovirus. These viruses can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
    • Parasitic infections: Parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium can be present in contaminated tap water. These parasites can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration.

    It is important to note that these health risks are relatively rare in France, and the majority of tap water is safe to drink. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions to ensure that your tap water is clean and safe to consume. Some of these precautions include:

    • Boiling tap water: Boiling tap water can kill any bacteria or viruses that may be present. This is especially important if you are traveling to a rural area or an area with a known water contamination issue.
    • Using a water filter: A water filter can remove impurities from tap water and make it safer to drink. However, it is important to choose a filter that is designed to remove the specific contaminants that may be present in your tap water.
    • Buying bottled water: If you are unsure about the safety of your tap water, it is always a good idea to buy bottled water instead. Bottled water is widely available in France and is generally safe to drink.

    Overall, tap water in France is safe to drink for the majority of the population. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions to ensure that your tap water is clean and safe to consume, especially if you are traveling to a rural area or an area with known water contamination issues.

    Tips for drinking tap water in France

    While tap water in France is generally safe to drink, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the best experience:

    • Some areas may have harder water than others, which can affect the taste. If you’re sensitive to taste, consider using a filter or opting for bottled water.
    • While tap water is safe to drink, it’s always a good idea to check with locals or your accommodation provider if there are any specific concerns in your area.
    • If you’re unsure about the quality of the tap water, you can always boil it or use a water purification system to be extra cautious.
    • Be mindful of the temperature of the water you’re drinking. In some areas, the tap water may come out colder or hotter than you’re used to.
    • Overall, tap water in France is safe to drink, but it’s always a good idea to consider your own preferences and circumstances before making a decision.

    Based on the information gathered, it is safe to say that tap water in France is generally safe to drink. The water quality is high, and the majority of French cities have clean and safe drinking water from improved sources. Rivers and aquifers supply approximately half of the water consumed in France.

    However, it is important to note that in some areas of the country, particularly those with hard water, people may choose to use filters to improve the taste or purity of the water. Additionally, some people may prefer to filter their water to remove the chlorine taste.

    Overall, while filtering tap water in France is not necessary for health reasons, it may be a matter of personal preference. If you are particularly health or taste-conscious, filtering your water may be a good idea. But if you are comfortable drinking tap water as is, you can rest assured that it is safe to do so in France.

  • Wooden handled toothbrush – Made in France

    Wooden handled toothbrush
    LIKE many people I gave little thought to replacing my toothbrush with a plastic handled version every couple of months.

    But as I became more aware of the impact of what I buy, I began to think of buying a bamboo handled toothbrush that was made in China.

    Looking more into how a toothbrush is made from bamboo, I began to realise that the transportation of them is where the environmental cost is at its highest.

    So I began to think more locally and searched for toothbrushes Made in France, because if there is one thing that France has a lot of it is wood.

    Beech wood for handles

    A quick Google search will soon provide you with sites such as Le Père Lucien and J’aime mes Dents who provide wooden handled toothbrushes made from beech.

    Another website, Bioseptyl, is a manufacturer located in the north west of France and who source its beech wood from the same corner of the country.

    The wood they use has been rejected by mills and other industries such as furniture manufacturers due to the colour or grain not being suitable.

    Brush head

    One area of the makeup of the brushes that has to be considered is the brush head itself, usually made of nylon, but in the case of eco manufacturing the filaments are made of 70% vegetable origin, usually castor oil.

    In Bioseptyl’s case the brush heads are imported from Germany, as there is currently no manufacturer based in France.

    Recycling wooden toothbrush

    Clearly, one of the key plus points of a wooden handled toothbrush over a plastic equivalent is the possibility to recycle it and so save on filling up a local déchetterie.

    The recommended way is to snap the head of the toothbrush off and put this in your regular waste bin, whilst placing the handle in the compost.

    Bioseptyl also offers a postal service that sees them provide an envelope that you can place the handles in and then send them back to the factory to be recycled.

    The packaging that the toothbrushes come in is also recyclable, so you can add a bit of carbon to your compost heap.

    Cleaning your toothbrush

    Caring for your wooden handled toothbrush, Made in France, is no different to others, you can leave them in a mix of bicarbonate of soda and water, or vinegar and water, for a couple of hours before rinsing them off.

    Buying local is nearly always the best way forward if you want to reduce the carbon footprint of your purchases, and just making that decision for a toothbrush can be a start to being better informed about what you buy.

  • Map shows where ticks are found in France

    Map showing where ticks are found in France
    A MAP showing where ticks are most common in France highlights an area from the south west, through the central region and on into the north east corner of the country.

    Published by l’INRAE (l’Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement) it highlights areas that are heavily wooded and which feature many wild animals such as deer and boar.

    Popular holiday regions such as here in the Dordogne are areas of high risk, with researchers saying that an increase in the number of animals that carry ticks being a reason behind their spread.

    Risk of Lyme disease

    If you are bitten then ticks can pass on Lyme disease, the beginning of which is recognisable by a red rash in the shape of a bullseye target, usually with a small bite mark at its centre.

    Around 60,000 cases a year of Lyme’s disease are recorded in France, and as more and more people spend leisure time in the woods the chances of crossing ticks and being bitten rise.

    At the earliest sign you should visit a local doctor as antibiotic treatment is possible to deal with the flare up, if you leave it real problems can occur and cause highly disabling illness.

    Ticks on cats and dogs

    Ticks are also a risk to your dogs and cats, attaching themselves to your pets and risking the development of diseases such as leishmaniasis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and heartworm.

    These can prove fatal to your pets so precautions should be taken.

    To protect your pets you can use spot-on treatments such as Frontline, and use a small hook to pick out the tick from your pets skin or your own, you can find treatments on Amazon.

    Make a habit of looking over your pet for the distinctive tick, there is a larger black variety and a small red coloured one.

    Ticks in France

    How do ticks transmit diseases?

    Ticks will attach themselves to humans or animals and feed on the blood after biting their host.

    They can transmit pathogens to new hosts and the diseases they pass on are transmitted through their saliva, that’s why it is important not to squeeze the body of a tick when attached to the skin as it will force these body fluids back into its host.

    A tick’s ability to spread illnesses and diseases is very good as they can feed on large amounts of blood and increase the chances of absorbing a pathogen.

    They can also travel long distances as they attach themselves to humans and animals who then move around.

    Ticks also have a long life span, sometimes a few months, and they reproduce in large numbers, ensuring diseases they carry are kept active in the environment.

    Three different sized tick twisters

    Tips on protecting yourself

    The most common area for the presence of ticks is woodland so if you are out walking with family and friends, or with your dog, then make a habit of looking over your clothes and through your pet’s fur to try and spot any ticks early.

    If will also help if you wear light-coloured clothing that shows ticks easily and covers arms and legs. Wear long-sleeved shirts, tight at the wrists, long pants tight at the ankles and tucked into socks, and shoes covering the whole foot.

    Apply diethyltoluamide (e.g., DEET) to skin and permethrin to clothing. But do not apply it to clothing while it is being worn, and allow the clothing to thoroughly dry before wearing.

    Perform daily checks of skin for ticks. Check children two to three times a day. Check under waistbands, sock tops, under arms, and any other moist areas.

    Remove ticks by using toothed hooks like these on Amazon or you should be able to buy them at a chemist or vets.

    Slide the teeth of the tool across your skin and around the tick as closely to the skin as possible. Use a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from the skin.

    If parts of the tick remain stuck in the skin, they should be removed as soon as possible.

    Suffocating the tick with oil, cream etc. may induce injection of more infectious material into the body, so do not use petroleum jelly, burning matches or cigarette ends, nail polish or other products.

    Related: Tiger mosquito warning map for France

  • Tiger mosquito warning in France

    Map of Tiger moustiques in France
    THE tiger mosquito, or moustique tigre, continues to prove a nuisance across many areas of France with people urged to help in controlling its spread.

    The mosquito can carry diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika and was first spotted in the Dordogne in 2015. It is now a problem across two thirds of France, including many urban areas, with research from 2021 saying it was present in 67 départements.

    And in July 2022, the French authorities announced that a resident of Perpignan, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, had developed dengue fever from a tiger mosquito bite that he suffered when at home.

    It is rare for a domestic instance of the disease to be found, most cases in France come from when people have travelled overseas to areas that are known to suffer from mosquito borne illnesses.

    The health authorities in Perpignan are going from door-to-door in the neighbourhood of where the victim lives to offer advice, but also in an attempt to deal with zones where the moustique tigre is present.

    The French authorities have created a website providing more information on spotting and dealing with the tiger mosquito, as well as the opportunity to update them if you believe you have found the mosquito close to home.

    Homeowners can reduce the risk of its spread by ensuring stagnant water is not left standing as it provides a breeding ground for the insect.

    The tiger mosquito is very small at just 5 mm in length, with a distinctive black and white body and legs.

    They live for around a month with the female able to lay 200 eggs every 12 days, and they only need a small quantity of water to use as a breeding ground.

    Tiger mosquitoes are silent and diurnal, meaning that they tend to bite during the day (mainly in the morning and evening), whereas the common mosquito mainly bites at night

    How to prevent tiger mosquito spread

    Tiger-moustique-prevent-tipsThe tiger mosquito seems to have adapted very well to urban and city environments as it is able to breed in artificial water containers such as vases, pots and rainwater collection systems.

    – Empty all areas where stagnant water collects such as buckets and garden equipment, and put them away

    – Put sand in the saucers under plants to absorb water and still let your flowers draw up moisture

    – Any rainwater butts or collection points should be covered in mosquito net or cloth

    – If you have ornamental ponds then introducing fish to them can help as they eat the mosquito larvae

    Protect yourself from tiger mosquito bites

    The mosquito does its damage during the day, biting its victims on areas of unprotected skin.

    – If you can, wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

    – Spray on insect repellents can work, but double-check the packaging or ask your pharmacist for advice

    – If your are struggling with the tiger mosquito around the house then nets across windows and doors might help while you deal with it

    Updated July 2022

  • Warning over the presence of tiger mosquito

    Aedes_Albopictus - Edited
    THE recent warm weather across France has sparked into life the tiger mosquito, or moustique tigre, which can carry diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika.

    The website Vigilance-Moustique warns that 42 départements are currently in the red zone for the presence of the mosquito, with the Dordogne amongst them.

    The tiger mosquito was first spotted in the Dordogne in 2015 and homeowners can reduce the risk of its spread by ensuring stagnant water is not left standing as it provides a breeding ground for the insect.

    Top image by James Gathany/CDC – This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #4487.

    Carte-2018-moustique-tigre

  • Hay fever sufferers warned of record pollen levels in France

    Screenshot 2018-04-26 at 08.05.27
    HAY fever sufferers across France are being warned of high levels of pollen, with the latest update from Le Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (RNSA) website showing record levels of birch tree pollen.

    Much of the RNSA map is covered in red, highlighting the birch tree pollen levels and warns sufferers to take precautions and have a supply of their required medications, with forecasts showing little respite in the coming weeks.

    The RNSA website is a useful stop for hay fever sufferers as there are guides and regular updates available.

    There are historical records for towns and cities across France enabling you to spot when pollen levels are at their highest.

    One feature of the RNSA website that could prove particularly useful is a weekly email service that allows you to choose up to three départements and get updates to your inbox about pollen level risks.

  • Drones to take to the skies to tackle pine processionary caterpillars

    Pine processionary caterpillars
    I HAVE already noticed the distinctive ‘candyfloss’ nests of the pine processionary caterpillars high in the trees whilst driving around parts of the Dordogne.

    And now drones will take to the skies in Cannes in an attempt to measure and ultimately destroy the nests found in the city.

    The 20 Minutes website reports that Inra (Institut National de la recherche Agronomique) will use the drones to spray biological insecticide directly on the nests, with scientists saying now is the best time of year to tackle the caterpillars as they are still young.

    Helicopters have been used in the past to spray wide areas, but this technique is now banned, and so the drones will have a lance attached to the body of the machine that will allow a pilot on the ground to guide the drone close to the caterpillars and target the nests.

    The pine processionary caterpillars usually fall from the trees in April and it is when you will see the characteristic long lines as they follow each other nose to tail.

    And while that is a view of nature to behold, the pine processionary caterpillar has a horrible ‘feature’, the small hairs on its back are poisonous and can be a terrible irritant if touched.

    But cats and dogs are particularly at risk as the fine hairs can become embedded in the mouth, or stomach, and if not spotted quickly and dealt with by a vet, can prove fatal.

  • Receive warnings of pollen levels in France

    Pollen - Edited
    ALTHOUGH the spring sunshine is welcomed by many, it is not greeted as warmly by those people who suffer from hay fever.

    Le Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (RNSA) website is a useful stop for hay fever sufferers as there are guides and regular updates available.

    There are historical records for towns and cities across France enabling you to spot when pollen levels are at their highest.

    For up to the minute advice and possible high levels in the coming few days there is a carte de vigilance, which at the moment is highlighting risks in the south of France.

    One feature of the RNSA website that could prove particularly useful is a weekly email service that allows you to choose up to three départements and get updates to your inbox about pollen level risks.

  • Campaign to tackle tiger mosquito starts in Dordogne

    Aedes_Albopictus - Edited
    THE authorities in the Dordogne have launched a campaign of awareness and protection against the spread of the tiger mosquito, or moustique tigre.

    The mosquito can carry diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika and was first spotted in the Dordogne in 2015. It is now a problem across many areas of southern France.

    Researchers will be in the region looking to study and deal with the mosquito, while homeowners can reduce the risk of its spread by ensuring stagnant water is not left standing as it provides a breeding ground for the insect.

    Image by James Gathany/CDC – This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #4487.