Triple demic in 2022: Increase in flu, RSV, COVID cases this winter is a concern, experts say

As summer ended and the U.S. headed into fall and winter, doctors feared Americans might encounter a “twindemic,” a situation in which both the flu and COVID-19 spread at the same time.

But experts told ABC News that the country now faces the threat of a “triple infection” as doctors see an early rise in other pediatric respiratory viruses, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). He said there is a possibility that

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory diseases are affecting more people faster than in recent years.

According to the federal health agency, most parts of the United States have seen an early increase in flu activity, indicating that this season could be much more severe than the last two seasons.

As of Monday afternoon, US pediatric bed occupancy was the highest in two years, with 75% of the estimated 40,000 beds filled with patients, according to an ABC News analysis.

CDC data shows that COVID-19 infections have yet to spike. However, in the past few years, the virus started increasing around Thanksgiving.

Experts say a combination of weakened immunity to COVID and lack of exposure to other viruses, combined with crowded indoors, fosters a “perfect storm.”

Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Children’s Hospital Boston and chief innovation officer at ABC, said: News contributor. “And because of the sheer volume of infections, if the denominator is high, we’re in a situation where some of those children need hospital care. not just spread thinly, but also about the critical staffing of those beds.”

“So the combination of shortages, hospital bed numbers and rising viral illnesses are all creating the unfortunate full storm that is happening everywhere right now,” he said.

Details | RSV in Children: Symptoms, Treatment and What Parents Should Know

resurgence of respiratory viruses

Over the past two years, there have been more restrictions, including masking, social distancing, capacity limits, and school closures. means.

Little to no mitigation measures are currently in place in cities and states across the country, leading to a resurgence of these viruses.

“That just leaves many children born after March 2020, especially young ones who haven’t yet encountered RSV infection,” said Larry Kociolek, M.D., medical director of Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, ABC. “So it increases the ability of the virus to spread, increasing the number of children it infects.”

according to CDCthe positive rate of flu tests increased from 1.27% in the week ending September 24 to 4.38% in the week ending October 15, experts said, higher than usual for this time of year.

Related item: Increase in flu cases and growing concern about timing of vaccination

Brownstein said another daunting problem for hospitals is understaffing.

“Our workforce is already overworked, overstressed, and many have left the healthcare industry due to burnout,” he said. “Additionally, there are infections among medical staff.”

Importance of vaccination

Doctors told ABC News it’s essential that children are vaccinated to prevent serious complications. Children with are at greatest risk.

“If your child hasn’t had the flu vaccine yet, make sure he does. [gets one] Dr. Federico Laham, medical director of pediatric infectious diseases at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital, told ABC News. Especially in the last two years, there have been so few flu epidemics that the immune system has become a little lazy and some children are forgetful. So it’s important to “remind” it. ”

Laham continued, “The same is true for COVID vaccines. Some children developed COVID early in the pandemic and weren’t vaccinated afterwards. and I know it’s very safe.”

In addition, experts say parents should encourage their children to wear masks and wash their hands often with soap and water to practice good hand hygiene.

“Another thing that schools and kids can do is bring hand sanitizer to school so they can clean their hands and wipe surfaces,” says Tom, an associate professor of pediatrics. Dr. Murray, Yale School of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases, told ABC News. .”

Eric Strauss of ABC News contributed to this report.