Flu cases have drastically declined since our lives have been affected by the COVID-19 virus and the protocols that have come with it. Since people have been wearing masks, social distancing, and have had fewer in-person social interactions in general there has been less of a chance for many illnesses to spread.
“Last year we had basically no flu,” said John R. Lonas, M.D, a pediatric specialist in Boone. “Whether that was because COVID overtook the flu or whether it was because everyone was staying away from each other so there was no flu spread.”
It is possible for both viruses to affect a person at the same time. There is so far no proof that the COVID-19 virus can alter the flu virus in any way, but they do interact with each other through effects and symptoms.
“They do not interact on a molecular basis to our current knowledge,” stated Dr. John A. Bartlett, Global Health and Nursing Fellow, and a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “It could be possible for them to interact in a patient infected by both viruses by over stimulating the immune system resulting in a more severe disease.”
Although doctors may be seeing a decline in the amount of flu cases in the last few years, there has not been a reportable downtick in cases according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Safety.
“It’s important to remember that cases of COVID-19 are reportable and flu cases are not,” stated Kelly Haight, a spokesperson for the NCDHHS (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Safety). “Meaning, when a lab runs a test of COVID-19, they must report both the positive results and the negative results to Public Health. Positive flu cases are not required to be reported.”
With social interactions increasing, cases for both COVID and flu viruses have started to increase. This can affect Watauga County students and community members because of the severity of sickness if these viruses are combined.
“COVID and flu together is a much more serious disease than COVID by itself, or flu by itself,” stated Dr. Lonas. “That’s the reason we're really encouraging everybody to get their flu shots.”
There are distinct similarities that come along with each of the viruses.
“Both viruses are highly contagious and spread through the respiratory route," stated Dr. Barlett. "Both viruses have greater impact in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with concomitant illnesses. Both viruses cause similar symptoms involving the respiratory tract."
These diseases, however, are different in several ways.
“In terms of differences, the Delta variant of COVID is causing greater morbidity and mortality than influenza,” Bartlet said. “COVID causes severe illness by overstimulating the immune system, which is different from influenza which causes damage by direct infection and to the lesser extent, overstimulation of the immune system.”
Although there are many dangers if the illnesses collide, case numbers of flu and COVID have drastically decreased since the implementation of COVID protocols.
“In 2020, we saw less flu and other respiratory viruses that we typically see increase in the fall and winter months, and we think that it is largely due to people taking precautions to prevent COVID-19 like wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart and washing hands frequently,” stated Melissa Bracey, the Director of Communications and Compliance AppHealthCare. “For respiratory viruses in general, we know they spread through respiratory droplets when we sneeze, cough, and talk-----similar to the way COVID-19 spreads. So, the prevention measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 likely had another benefit of decreasing the spread of flu at the same time.”
With everyone working to lower the spread of both illnesses, we will be able to help keep our community healthy.
“We have antiviral medications to treat both viruses,” said Dr. Bartlett. “Most importantly, we have vaccines and control measures that should prevent many infections.”
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