In the Northern Hemisphere, winter is coming – and with it the usual cavalcade of respiratory viruses. COVID-19 continues to loom large with the latest XEC variant, we’re teetering on the precipice of the flu season, and there’s the perhaps lesser-known but still important respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to contend with. Put them all together, and you could have what some call a “tripledemic” on your hands.
Are we facing a tripledemic?
Calls to be wary of the winter tripledemic have come pretty much every year since COVID-19 arrived on the scene. The seasonal pattern of flu is something we’re well used to, and while we might hear less about RSV, the science around its seasonality is also clear.
COVID-19 is not a seasonal infection in the same way, but most places have been seeing a wave of disease during the autumn and winter. Recent research found that the eastern US has been seeing six-month oscillating waves during both the coolest and warmest months.
As of October 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID Data Tracker is showing a decrease in COVID-19 test positivity rates, so if a tripledemic situation is on the way in the US it might be later in the season.
Across the Atlantic, it’s a slightly different story; the UK Health Security Agency is reporting increases in COVID-19 cases, deaths, and patient admissions in the seven days up to October 9, October 4, and September 28 respectively compared with the previous week (although it’s worth saying the numbers don’t approach the figures we saw at the height of the pandemic, before vaccines).
The picture across the rest of Europe is mixed, with Italy, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Austria currently seeing the highest rates of new COVID-19 cases at time of writing according to Politico.
The peak of flu and RSV infections hasn’t arrived yet, but if this trend continues, some places could be starting the season in the midst of a wave of COVID-19.
How to protect yourself
Thankfully, for all three of the viruses implicated in the tripledemic, there are vaccines available. Getting a vaccine early in the season – if you’re eligible – is the best way of preventing severe disease and could stop you getting sick at all.
“With new figures showing thousands of deaths associated with COVID and flu in recent years, it is clear that the threat of winter viruses is all too real, and it is vital that anyone eligible takes up the offer to get vaccinated,” Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said in a statement.
Flu vaccines for the current season are now available, and COVID-19 vaccines have recently been updated to reflect the circulating variants. Eligibility for each vaccine varies from country to country and between different health systems, so it’s best to speak to a doctor or pharmacist to get the relevant information where you are.
Although for many people RSV infection presents like a mild cold, it’s estimated to be linked to 6,000-10,000 deaths each year in older adults in the USA. Globally, the virus also accounts for tens of thousands of deaths in children under the age of 5. That’s why the news that the Food and Drug Administration had approved the world’s first RSV vaccine in 2023 was met with such acclaim.
And hot off the press: a new study published in The Lancet reports that the RSV vaccine that was used in the 2023-24 season was 80 percent effective at preventing hospitalization in adults aged 60 and over.
Again, availability and eligibility of the RSV vaccine will likely vary by region – the UK, for example, has just begun offering the vaccine for the first time to pregnant people and the elderly. As ever, your best resource to find out more is your local pharmacy or primary care doctor.
If you do come down with a respiratory illness, it’s important that you stay home and get plenty of rest. It’s simple advice, but it works – and has the added benefit of stopping you from spreading your germs to other people. Drink plenty of fluids and load up that show you’ve been meaning to binge-watch. Over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen (paracetamol), can help with symptoms like fever and muscle aches.
US households can order four free at-home COVID-19 tests again this year. Because the symptoms of COVID-19 can be hard to distinguish from flu, RSV, or just a cold, testing can help you decide whether you need to pursue further treatment, such as antiviral medication.
If you can’t avoid going out, consider wearing a face mask, especially in crowded indoor spaces or if you’re spending time with someone who is more vulnerable to severe respiratory illness. Practicing good hand hygiene is also important for preventing the spread of disease, not just flu, COVID-19, and RSV. These are also basic, inexpensive things, but they can make a big difference.
And if you do have any respiratory symptoms, it goes without saying that you should keep your distance from vulnerable people – such as the elderly, very young children, and those undergoing medical treatment that could compromise their immune system – until you’re fighting fit again.
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Source Link: Why People Are Talking About A “Tripledemic”
