Although the “triple pandemic” — COVID-19, RSV and influenza — A problem in many places, experts say the flu is starting to hit the country hard.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, said he has seen the first signs that RSV infections may stabilize after a quick jump while Covid-19 “smokes.”
But “influenza is terrible,” he said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20,000 people were hospitalized with the flu last week, nearly double the previous week.
“Hospitalizations for the flu continue to be the highest we’ve seen this time of year in a decade,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Valensky said at a briefing Tuesday.
Here’s what to know:
More health news from USA Today:
COVID, RSV, influenza: the state of the ‘triple pandemic’
COVID-19: Experts say the number of coronavirus patients no longer provides an accurate picture of the pandemic because Americans are being tested at home and results are not being reported. But health officials have seen an increase in patients and hospitalizations since Thanksgiving, Valensky said. In the last week of November, the CDC reported:
- 4,650 have been hospitalized
- 1,780 deaths
RSV: Transmissions are high but appear to be “peaking” in the South and Southeast, and “leveling off” in the Mid-Atlantic, New England and Midwest, Valensky said.
Influenza: Thirty-one U.S. jurisdictions, which include states, major cities and territories, are reporting “very high” levels of flu activity, with 16 reporting “high” levels, according to the CDC. So far this season, the agency has reported:
- 8.7 million cases
- 78,000 have been hospitalized
- 4,500 deaths
Flu Symptoms: What Does a Flu Feel Like?
Symptoms of fever: Fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headache and fatigue.
Types of fever: There are four types of influenza virus – A, B, C and D – but the strains that usually cause seasonal flu are influenza A and B. The CDC says that influenza C primarily causes mild illness, while influenza D is usually found in cattle. Public.
How long does the fever last?
Flu signs and symptoms usually resolve after three to seven days, but general weakness and fatigue can last up to two weeks, according to the CDC.
Read more vaccine news:
Flu shot: Where can I get the flu shot?
This year’s flu shot is a good match for the three strains Schaffner said he sees most often in Nashville. Experts believe that’s “at least in part, (because) we have so much influenza,” he said.
But getting vaccinated against the flu is not enough. By November 19, about 40% of children had been vaccinated and about 36% of adults at the end of October, the latest data available from the CDC shows.
“Here, as everywhere, acceptance of the influenza vaccine has been disappointing,” he said. “People really have vaccine fatigue.”
Experts say it’s never too late to get a flu shot. Here’s where to get one:
- Doctor’s Office: Experts advise calling ahead before making an appointment to make sure they have the vaccine they want or need.
- Pharmacy: Major pharmacy retailers, such as Walgreens and CVS, offer flu shots and accept online walk-ins or appointments.
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
Cold symptoms are usually less severe than the flu, but many symptoms overlap: fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, and general fatigue.
Experts say the only sure way to tell the difference between a cold and the flu is through testing. Patients can be tested for Covid-19 and influenza at the same time with a single swab.
How is fever treated?
Experts say most flu infections can be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids. However, doctors can prescribe an antiviral drug for patients who are at risk of serious illness.
Four antivirals are approved for the flu in the United States, but the most commonly used is its brand name, Tamiflu.
But antivirals work best when taken early in the disease, so it’s important to discuss options with a doctor before getting sick, said Dr. Pedro Piedra, professor of molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine.
“We’re in flu season now without question, and there’s a lot going on around us,” he said. “Planning ahead is important.”
Contributing: Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY. Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.
USA TODAY’s health and patient safety coverage is made possible in part by a grant from the Massimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competitiveness in Healthcare. The Massimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.
