At least 4,300 flu patients were hospitalized in the week ending Oct. 29, according to the WHO. data released on Friday. of flu season started 6 weeks early Some level this year Not seen since the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic.
After enduring two consecutive winters crushed by an influx of covid-19 patients, American hospitals A third harsh winter — this time it was criticized on three fronts.
“When Increased RSV infectionswith the rising number of flu cases and the continued burden of covid-19 in our communities, we are certain to face some challenges this winter,” said Health Society for Preparedness and Response. Assistant Secretary of Human Services Dawn O’Connell told reporters on Friday .. “But it’s important to remember… RSV and flu are not new and safe and effective against covid-19 and flu.” We have a vaccine.”
Respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of cold-like symptoms in children known as respiratory syncytial virus, continues to rise nationwide. burden the children’s hospitalTrends vary by region. RSV looks like it’s going backwards In the southeast and mountain west with the flu surge. There is no vaccine against RSV, but Pfizer has Will ask for approval Administered during pregnancy.
Health officials are preparing for the possibility that the new coronavirus will overwhelm hospitals again. new variant Because governments have abandoned efforts to limit transmission, and few older people are most vulnerable to serious illness. The latest in their shots.
Some health officials have described the confluence of influenza, RSV, and coronavirus as a “triple disease.”
“Covid has impacted the seasonal pattern of all these respiratory infections,” said Pediatric Infections at Chicago’s Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, where RSV cases are surging and flu cases are starting to rise. disease expert Tina Tan. “Whether or not this pattern will return to what it was pre-corona, I don’t think anyone knows, but if people are infected with the three viruses that could lead to a surge in serious illness, they will be able to get the care they need. It becomes more complicated to deliver. At the same time.”
David Rubin, who tracks respiratory viruses at the Philadelphia Children’s Hospital PolicyLab, said it was too early to declare a hospital crisis. He said the youth mental health crisis and a nationwide shortage of pediatric hospital beds are making it difficult for the health system to cope with the rise in respiratory illnesses. But adult hospitals are better positioned to respond.
“It all depends on when these peaks occur and on what scale covid returns this winter,” Rubin said. “We haven’t seen any real acceleration yet this year when it comes to hospitalizations due to COVID-19. If you’re looking for a silver lining, he’s the one.”
US government has stockpiled medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and ventilators, but no state has yet requested additional personnel or supplies, according to officials.
“State and territory public health officials are urging parents and families to take precautions now to stay healthy and avoid straining the hospital system,” said Alaska Public Health. Ann Zink, head of the agency and president of the state and territory health associations, said. Authorities, written statement.
These precautions include staying up to date on vaccines, staying home when sick, and washing your hands regularly. Mask-wearing is often overlooked or downplayed in government recommendations, which was rarely adopted during past respiratory virus seasons. Proven effective By slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Lynn Goldman, dean of the School of Public Health at the Milken Institute at George Washington University, serves on a committee that advises CDC Director Rochelle Wallensky.
“At this time, nothing can be enforced,” CDC covid-19 incident manager Brendan Jackson replied Thursday.
Jose Romero, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, mentioned a properly fitting mask at the end of his list of recommended precautions. The agency’s Friday press conference.
“If the family wants, they can use masks,” Romero said.
Experts say people are practicing social distancing to avoid the coronavirus and were not exposed to other viruses while wearing masks, which contributed to the current situation.
“All the regular exposures that normally occur to boost immunity didn’t occur,” Wallenski said during an attendance at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. If it goes on for two years without any protection against infection, all of a sudden there will be a boom, everyone from 0 to 3 years old will get RSV, and we’ll see the impact on healthcare.”
RSV is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in young children, but the virus also poses a significant threat to the elderly and immunocompromised adults. Despite a decline in coronavirus cases, doctors say medically vulnerable people should consider taking higher precautions due to the circulation of other respiratory viruses. says.
Aaron Gratt, director of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York, said, “If you’re at high risk, don’t go into high-risk areas. If you must, please wear a mask.”
During flu season, if cases are fairly mild and patients are discharged quickly, the strain on hospitals may not debilitating the health care system. Brammer said officials have yet to see evidence of a more virulent strain of influenza.
“Right now, there are no indications to believe it is more serious,” Brammer said Friday. “Just early.”
