How Worse Will Flu Season Get? Experts Predict Cold/Flu/COVID Season

You may have noticed this among your friends and family, but once COVID-19 (new coronavirus infectious disease) we are all forced to stay at home, cold or flu Hundreds of thousands of cases have fallen in the United States. The numbers: Between September 2019 and January 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 130,000 infections. influenzathere were only 1,316 cases from September 2020 to the end of January 2021.

In short, staying home and wearing masks didn’t just help us fight COVID-19 (new coronavirus infectious disease), which also stopped the spread of the flu. It’s hard to give a cold number because most people don’t go to the doctor with a cold. process, anecdotally, common cold cases also seem to have declined. So how bad will the flu season be this year? We asked the experts to find out.

What’s Potentially Prepared for Cold and Flu Season

With so many of us on the road, doctors hope cold and flu cases don’t combine with COVID-19 cases to trigger a new epidemic. In 2020, the Israeli Outbreak Management Advisory Team announced this combo “Flurona”.Bad News: This Confluence Hit Australia July and August of this year (winter season in the country).

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“The flu season has peaked earlier than usual, and cases have risen sharply in Australia. immunity Given the low flu exposure in recent years and the decline in social distancing measures,” said Janin Struminger, M.D., an infectious disease specialist in Tucson, Arizona. cycling. COVID-19 (new coronavirus infectious disease) A double viral peak was observed in the case, but if Americans practice some of the habits they did with COVID-19, such as masks, they could prevent this cold and flu season’s “twindemic.” There is a possibility

Colds, flu and COVID-19 are not the same virus

Colds, flu and COVID-19 are all virus— submicroscopic infectious agents that target cells — and they share some similarities. All three are respiratory illnesses with the same symptoms (e.g., sore throat and shortness of breath) but differ in severity and potential consequences.

“What we call the ‘common cold’ is one of many viruses that usually cause a runny nose. coughWhen Malaise‘ explains Straminger. It may be difficult to distinguish between the three symptoms, but illnessOnce you test negative for COVID-19, you can usually distinguish between a cold and the flu by the appearance of symptoms. For example, the flu usually comes on suddenly and “knocks you out,” whereas the common cold comes on slowly and, while annoying, is less severe. You probably don’t have a fever or illness. upset stomach With a cold, like the flu.

“These infections not only make you feel rotten, they also lead to you missing work (and income) and missing out on social activities,” adds Straminger. COVID-19 virusbut in reality, the flu is dangerous for young children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases and illnesses.

Finally, colds, flu, and COVID-19 are three different viruses, but if you protect yourself from one, you protect yourself from all three. expand In a very similar way (sneezes, coughs, and germ hands). More good news? Thanks to COVID-19, we are now experts in virus protection, and we are witnessing its effectiveness in prevention.

Expert advice on how to avoid getting sick this flu season

Follow these tips to stay healthy during the more severe cold and flu season.

get vaccinated

CDC to Americans flu vaccine Ideally by the end of October, if you haven’t already Boost against COVID-19 Get that vaccination too.i.e. it must also have the initials COVID-19 vaccination series (Follow CDC recommendations age-appropriate vaccination against the COVID-19 series).

“It’s safe to get a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine (or a booster if you’re eligible) at the same time,” says Struminger. (The CDC agrees.) “The two do not cancel each other out, and we would expect a modest, if any, increase in side effects compared to either vaccine. The convenience of being able to receive it is a considerable advantage.”

Struminger adds: Similarly, flu vaccines prevent severe infections and hospitalizations. ”

Remember, vaccination Protecting all of us as a community, not just individuals. “The more people vaccinated, the less likely the virus is to mutate because there are fewer infections,” adds Storminger. In fact, flu vaccines are updated every year to protect against influenza viruses that are most likely to spread next season.

wash your hands; sanitizer is second best

As we have heard before, hand wash is a pretty powerful method stave off illnessSo use soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Also, it’s always wise to carry around a small bottle of liquid soap or hand sanitizer.

Surfaces in bathrooms and public spaces are often not cleaned or sanitized, so avoid touching surfaces that are considered “frequently touched,” such as door handles and countertops in shops and restaurants.

Similarly, in your home, wash your hands and frequently wipe surfaces with soap and water. Sanitizers are helpful in areas exposed to germs through coughs and sneezes.

cover up

The flu, cold, and COVID-19 viruses are spread primarily through droplets you make when you cough, sneeze, or talk, so if you’re around sick people, wear a mask. It’s also helpful to wear a mask to protect yourself around someone who has a cold, flu, or the flu. COVID-symptoms“Consider wearing a mask in crowded places,” adds Straminger.

Also, cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.

without wearing maskact as if you were wearing it and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth which helps prevent the spread of germs.