Remember last year when we faced a tough “tripledemic” of flu, COVID-19, and RSV?
This year might be better thanks to some exciting new vaccines and treatments!
David Dowdy, an expert on diseases from Johns Hopkins University, shared some insights in a recent chat. Here’s what he had to say:
Worried about another rough virus season?
Many people are anxious about the upcoming virus season. But Dowdy suggests that we may not need to worry as much.
While last year saw spikes in RSV and an early arrival of flu, COVID-19 numbers have dropped significantly. People are also getting back to their usual habits. So, things might go back to how they were before the pandemic hit.
What’s up with COVID in wastewater?
Some reports show a slight increase in COVID found in wastewater. But Dowdy says we shouldn’t panic.
The number of people going to the hospital or dying from COVID is at an all-time low. So, even if more people are catching the virus, they are not getting super sick.
Why did families get sick so often last year?
Did it seem like your family was always sick last year? Dowdy believes several reasons could explain this.
Firstly, people stopped wearing masks and keeping their distance, allowing old viruses to make a comeback. Secondly, young children who stayed indoors during the pandemic didn’t get the chance to build up immunity against common viruses.
Will flu season come early this year?
Should you get your flu shot earlier than usual? Dowdy’s advice is to stick to the usual schedule: September or October. However, he does mention that this year’s flu season might start early, just like it did last year.
Good news: a new way to fight RSV!
There’s exciting news about a new treatment for RSV, a virus that’s especially hard on babies. The FDA recently approved a new antibody medicine that lasts for 4-6 months.
What’s even better is that it’s not just for high-risk infants but for all healthy babies.
What’s the takeaway for the upcoming virus season?
So, what should we do to prepare for the upcoming season of viruses? Dowdy’s advice is simple: get vaccinated.
New treatments and lower COVID numbers are positive signs, but we shouldn’t let our guard down. Tens of thousands of people still die from these viruses every year.
To protect yourself and your family, get the flu shot in the fall, take the COVID vaccine if you haven’t, and consider the new RSV treatment for babies. These steps can help us all have a safer, healthier winter.
In short, while viruses will always be around, we’re getting better tools to fight them. So let’s use them and make this year a healthier one for everyone!
If you care about health, please read studies about new evidence on rare blood clots after COVID-19 vaccination, and how diets could help manage post-COVID syndrome.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that low-sodium plant-based diets may prevent COVID-19 better, and results showing zinc could help reduce COVID-19 infection risk.
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