Health disease medicine

French nurse’s translation tool helps give care in 101 languages

'Medical terms can be complicated, even when people speak our language well'

Dengue fever cases surge in France since start of year

Public Health France has warned of an “unprecedented” situation

Strepsils, Olbas Oil, TCP: Find French equivalents to common remedies

Moving to France means navigating pharmacies and hunting down alternatives to treat everyday ailments

Why are more young people in France getting cancer?

Cancer may grow faster and recur more in younger people, but this group is also better at spotting symptoms, one specialist says

Hope of breakthrough treatment for Parkinson’s from French team

The world first ‘shows unequivocally’ that the disease can be slowed using a medicine related to obesity drug Ozempic, researchers say

Are US prescriptions accepted at French pharmacies?

Pharmacists are obliged to accept EU and EEA prescriptions. We look at what happens with those from other countries

French company develops 3D baby scans for blind parents-to-be

The method, nicknamed the ‘Braille ultrasound’. allows blind or partially-sighted parents-to-be to experience pregnancy in a ‘memorable and inclusive’ way

French minister denies plans for income-linked healthcare

The economy minister said comments that well-off people would need to ‘contribute more’ had been misreported

France to introduce first ever blood test for bipolar disorder

The test, from a French start-up, promises to reduce diagnosis time from around 10 years to a few weeks

MAP: Where tiger mosquitoes have spread to in France

The invasive species is present in 72 departments

France residents in better health than other countries, study shows

The report found that France has particularly improved on life expectancy since 1990

€30 doctor fees, less drugs: how healthcare could change in France

Doctors to be paid more but in return asked to prescribe fewer treatments

What aid or help groups exist in France to cope with a new disability?

Individual circumstances can dictate what aid may be available

Smoking has long-term effect on immune system - new French research

The study is the first of its kind and looks at the impact of smoking on the immune system in comparison to other factors such as BMI, sleep, illnesses, and exercise

Flu vaccination campaign extended due to rise in cases in France

All indicators have been ‘rising sharply’ since mid-January and vaccination is ‘still essential’, the health authority has warned

First treatment for skin condition vitiligo to be available in France

The treatment for the auto-immune pigmentation condition is to be released early in a bid to help high-priority patients

France looks to fine people who miss a doctor’s appointment

New prime minister says people must pay for ‘no-shows’. The UK reviewed a similar measure last year but dropped it

Delivery of medicines by drone tested in south-west France

The French-made drone test now shows the ‘potential for medical deliveries’ to people in isolated areas

Five tips to reduce cost of your top-up health insurance in France

With premiums set to rise in 2024 it makes sense to shop around

Call for people with rare blood types to become donors in France

Hundreds of thousands of people do not realise they have this blood and can help, say doctors

Map: South of France on highest alert for pollen allergies

Eight departments are on red alert due to the unseasonably warm weather

Covid vaccine disturbs menstruation for some women, finds French study

Health body claims risk of very heavy bleeding slightly increased in the three months following the first mRNA Covid vaccination

Medicines in France will cost patients more from spring

The ‘franchise médicale’ is not reimbursed, and critics say it will penalise vulnerable people

Five cases of rare illness strike one street in north of France

Alarmed residents say neurological disease ‘seems like a lot of coincidences’

Flu, Covid, bronchiolitis: latest update on viruses in France

‘Viruses remain at a high level’, said the public health authority. It advises people to get vaccinated and wear a mask although indicators show a drop in cases

What are characteristics of Covid variant JN1, now dominant in France?

Experts say its mutations mean it can infect lung cells more easily but that it is also less contagious

Wastewater in sea blamed for oyster ban in France

The industry has called for compensation after the suspension of sales, which will cost oyster farmers ‘millions of euros’, said a representative

Stranger helps save baby thanks to urgent first-aid app in France

The man showed up in pyjamas and flip-flops to the house, where a baby was having a heart attack

Top-up health insurance firms confirm big price rises in France

Contracts for individuals could rise by as much as 7%, and almost 10% for groups, a new report has found

‘No scar’: surgeon in France accused of just pretending to operate

The doctor denies the claims and said the allegations had ‘ruined the end of his career’

Covid, flu, bronchiolitis: overloaded French hospitals on ‘plan blanc’

The plan allows hospitals to reorganise and cancel non-urgent operations, and redirect resources to cope with the ‘triple epidemic’

Flu now at epidemic level in France, south worst hit

Health authorities are warning people to be ‘cautious’ as cases of flu rise sharply amid the festive season

‘Medicines to avoid in 2024’ list published by French medical review

The 105 drugs are considered to be ‘more dangerous than useful’ but the majority are still widely available and used

Taxis on ‘drive slow’ protest in France over hospital transport change

Drivers claim the new rule will lead to a ‘two-tier’ system, harm patients and threaten taxi drivers’ income

Rise in respiratory infections continues in France

Three more regions are now at ‘pre-epidemic’ stage for flu and wastewater samples are showing a 24% rise in the presence of the Covid virus

Covid France: How testing now works as cases rise again

The situation is particularly tense in Grand Est

Alert over low take up for flu vaccination in France

‘Hospitals and vulnerable people will pay the price’ of low take-up, the health minister has warned, as health indicators show three regions at ‘pre-epidemic’ stage

New rise in Covid cases in France: What do latest figures show?

The most recent health bulletin shows cases are rising nationwide, although there is - as yet - ‘no signal of concern’

Covid in France: What are symptoms of the new variant Pirola?

The new strain is ‘intrinsically more contagious’ than previous strains and more likely to spread in winter, experts say

Health alert in France over common cold medicines

It is not worth ‘risking a stroke for a blocked nose’, the head of the medicines safety agency has said

Ticks carrying Crimean-Congo fever found in France for first time

No human cases have yet been detected but health authorities warn that the virus could spread due to climate change. It is already in Spain

Franco-Swiss team claims major advance in Parkinson’s treatment

The new electrode system has helped a paraplegic man to walk again

France approves new treatment against endometrial cancer

The drug Jemperli has been authorised in France before being approved in Europe. This cancer affects around 10,000 women nationwide every year

Shortages of 4,000 medicines in France; what risk for this winter?

Drugs affected include antibiotics and some painkillers

1,347 cases of dengue fever registered in France since May 1

Most came from overseas but the number of native cases is rising sharply too, the French health authority has warned

First case of native dengue fever from tiger mosquito in Paris area

This is the first time that a native case has been confirmed so far north

Doctors’ strike in France: ‘Why €25 per appointment is not enough’

The strike comes amid wider national action also affecting travel and schools

Cat allergy vaccine trialled by Franco-Canadian scientists

The vaccine could bring ‘hope to millions’ of sufferers, the researchers say

Anti-inflammatory drug recalled in France over dosage labelling error

It means the drug may not be available in pharmacies until the end of October

Increase in tiger mosquitoes in France leads to more cases of dengue

Why are there more mosquitoes, and what are the common symptoms of dengue to look out for?

France’s 2024 budget plans for healthcare: What could change for you?

More prescription charges, pill-by-pill dispensing, and new rules on transport reimbursements are all proposed

Covid cases really are rising in France, says health minister

The ‘most fragile’ in society must be protected and have a booster vaccination, he added. He also spoke about Long Covid, medicine shortages, and bedbugs

MAP: What are France’s high risk ‘Seveso’ sites and where are they?

Why are the sites called ‘Seveso’ and which region has the most sites nationwide?

How does hospital and other medical transport work in France?

Some costs can be partially – or fully – covered by social security, though in some cases you will need a prescription

Eligibility, flu jab: What to expect from France’s new Covid campaign

The date for the autumn booster vaccinations has been brought forward as cases continue to rise

French presidents’ health records: promises, tradition and fact

A doctor has been suspended over viewing President Macron’s Covid vaccine status in 2021. We look at who monitors and accesses a president’s health record

Hopes over French firm’s vaccine to treat lung cancer

The new vaccine saw positive results in its stage three trial, and ‘brings great hope’ to patients, a leading expert has said

Covid-19 France: new data shows rise in cases, call for vigilance

Health minister advises people to social distance and wear a mask in high-risk situation

Anti-mosquito spraying stopped by ecologists in southwest France

Activists said that the insecticide could also kill bees and aquatic life, but insect experts say spraying is the only way to reduce the risk to human health

New Covid variant detected in France also, call to respect isolation

An investigation to ‘document these first cases’ has now been launched, ahead of this autumn’s new vaccination campaign

Free health check-up for 45-50 year olds in France: how will it work?

This will be the first age group to benefit from this new preventative initiative

Covid ‘rebound’ in France: Which areas, and are doctors worried?

As cases of Covid and related hospital admissions are increasing due to the new variant Eris, we look at where cases are highest and if medics are concerned about an ‘epidemic reprisal’.