Are you ready for the ‘Tripledemic’? Here’s how to prepare
With the flu season underway and COVID-19 Omicron sub-variants continuing to spread, healthcare providers should anticipate the potential for increasing cases of both at the same time. During a Nov. 9 webinar, Joseph Mann, global medical science liaison for BD, explained how access to low-cost, easy-to-use rapid antigen combination tests can help providers rapidly distinguish these highly contagious viral upper respiratory infections to prevent further spread – while saving critical time and resources. Institute; and Emily Richmond, Strategic Advisor for Helix – discussed possible solutions for tackling health inequities, including how population genomics could help support more equitable community health.
1 Providers can expect a busy respiratory season
Several upper respiratory viruses and other illnesses tend to circulate in the U.S. during the cold fall and winter months. The three viruses that are most concerning this year are COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These viruses are highly transmissible and lead to a significant number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths each year. Moreover, they present with similar symptoms, making diagnosis more challenging.
2 Global COVID-19 trends warrant attention
In the U.S., daily reported cases of COVID-19 have been curving downward for several months. However, certain parts of Europe and Asia are beginning to see spikes again. This should be monitored closely, as case trajectories here tend to lag a few weeks behind Europe. Given the supply chain issues that have plagued healthcare since the start of the pandemic, Mann advises healthcare providers to plan ahead and stock up on vaccines, testing supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE). Once the holiday and respiratory seasons collide, facilities don’t want to be short on necessary supplies.
3 It is difficult to predict spikes in RSV and flu cases
As the country has scaled back protective measures such as mask wearing, social distancing, vaccine mandates and capacity restrictions, this has had a pronounced impact on flu activity. Flu cases are increasing earlier than usual, but they’re also surging in times when low transmission would typically be expected. Due to these abnormalities, reported influenza hospitalizations reached their highest number in over a decade. Similarly, this season, RSV transmission is being observed much earlier than in the past. Atypical transmission patterns will make it difficult for hospitals to staff appropriately in preparation for surges.
4 Timely diagnosis enables timely treatment
Vaccination remains the best defense against COVID-19 and influenza, but when infection does occur, the treatment options vary. By using rapid combination assays to diagnose COVID-19 and influenza, providers can quickly initiate proper isolation measures and prescribe targeted antiviral treatments when appropriate. There are several antiviral medications and monoclonal antibody treatments available for COVID-19, and for influenza, the FDA-approved treatments include Tamiflu ® and Relenza.
5 Co-infection is likelier than you might think
One study in the United Kingdom indicated that co-infections of COVID-19 and the flu are quite common in inpatients. Of 7,000 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19, co-infection was detected in 583, or 8.4%. Additionally, the study found that patients with COVID-19 and influenza co-infection were at increased risk of requiring intubation and medical ventilation when compared to those with COVID-19 alone. 1 Healthcare providers should be aware of this possibility when testing patients with overlapping COVID-19 and flu symptoms.