With the increasing severity of the coronavirus-pandemic, it can be easy to overlook the fact that the 2020/2021 flu season is well underway. However, what was originally predicted to be a “twin-demic” is off to a mercifully slow start.
According to the CDC, “Seasonal influenza activity in the United States remains lower than usual for this time of year.”
As both influenza and COVID-19 negatively impact the respiratory system, there are obvious similarities between the two potentially deadly viruses.
According to the World Health Organization, both viruses can present themselves with varying degrees of severity.
“Both viruses are transmitted by contact, droplets and fomites. As a result, the same public health measures, such as hand hygiene and good respiratory etiquette (coughing into your elbow or into a tissue and immediately disposing of the tissue), are important actions all can take to prevent infection.”
However, despite the similarities, influenza and COVID-19 are two distinctly different viruses.
One of the primary differences is the speed with which the viruses can be transmitted. With a median incubation period of three-days, (approximately half the incubation time of COVID-19) the flu can spread much faster.
Children are a major source of influenza-transmission. Initial data relating to the COVID-19 virus shows that young people ages 19 and under are far less affected by the virus than adults. Data also indicates young people are at a greater risk of being infected by an adult than are adults by younger people.
The severity of the viruses also differ drastically.
According to the World Health Organization: “Mortality for COVID-19 appears higher than for influenza, especially seasonal influenza. While the true mortality of COVID-19 will take some time to fully understand, the data we have so far indicate that the crude mortality ratio (the number of reported deaths divided by the reported cases) is between 3-4%, the infection mortality rate (the number of reported deaths divided by the number of infections) will be lower. For seasonal influenza, mortality is usually well below 0.1%. However, mortality is to a large extent determined by access to and quality of health care.”
Despite reports of “lower than usual” influenza activity so far this season, the CDC warns that influenza-like illness surveillance data should be interpreted with caution, as reporting may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the week ending Nov. 14, 1.5% of doctor visits nationwide were regarding influenza-like symptoms. This is well below the national baseline of 2.6%.
The CDC further states that, “Influenza activity was low during the summer months and few specimens have tested positive in public health labs in recent weeks.”
So, how do health experts account for the current season’s decreased flu-levels?
According to an Oct. 28 report by Forbes, “interventions designed to block the spread of COVID-19 all but stopped the spread of flu.”
This is a sentiment that is echoed by the CDC. In their ‘Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,’ the CDC states: “Following the widespread adoption of community mitigation measures to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the percentage of U.S. respiratory specimens submitted for influenza testing that tested positive decreased from >20% to 2.3% and has remained at historically low interseasonal levels (0.2% versus 1-2%.) Data from southern hemisphere countries also indicate little influenza activity.”
The CDC also points out that, globally, fewer people are subjecting themselves to medical screenings when experiencing influenza-like symptoms. This is due, in large part, to the apprehension surrounding the possibility of contracting or spreading COVID-19.
The CDC goes on to outline the possible implications this may have on the public health practice.
“Interventions aimed against SARS-CoV-2 transmission, plus influenza vaccination, could substantially reduce influenza incidence and impact in the 2020–21 Northern Hemisphere season. Some mitigation measures might have a role in reducing transmission in future influenza seasons.”
Despite its numerous strains, the flu is a far less contagious virus than COVID-19. Therefore, utilizing face coverings and socially distancing are much more effective in preventing the spread of the flu.
Although early data looks promising, it is still far too early to accurately predict the severity of the 2020/2021 flu season. Both the CDC, and the World Health Organization recommend that individuals are vaccinated against the flu each year.
Flu vaccinations are available at the following locations:
Walmart Supercenter, located at 520 N. Jefferson St. in Lewisburg. 304-645-5291. Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy-North, located at 3558 Jefferson St. N. Suite 1 in Lewisburg. 304-647-1377. Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy, located at 1322 Maplewood Avenue in Ronceverte. 304-647-5121. Kroger Pharmacy, located in the Red Oak Shopping Center in Ronceverte. 304-645-0310.
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