Coronavirus: Can the flu and dengue case spike impact the third COVID wave?

Over the course of past weeks, the rising cases of flu, viral ailments, dengue have overtaken COVID to be the current prevailing health threats in the country. While COVID-19 remains to be a problem which we'll continue to face, bleak awareness about the flu vaccination, newer, potentially severe variants of the dengue causing DENV virus, reports of serious infections and lax measures have made us fear the ill-effects of twindemic, i.e., if two or more infectious diseases are to strike us together.

Also read: Severe signs of flu and viral illness to not ignore

The grappling fear of flu and dengue proving scary comes at a time when there's already a fear of the third COVID wave looming in. In some parts of the country, there are more seasonal flu and dengue cases reported than COVID-19 right now. While there continues to be a stress on following necessary measures and getting vaccinated, being complacent right now can prove to be a cost too heavy, and may even impact the COVID crisis. As we work towards safeguarding ourselves against the third COVID-19 wave, here's how we can mitigate seasonal flu risk as well:

To date, there have been a number of predictions as to when the next wave of COVID-19 could peak. While a usual wave is said to set in 8-12 weeks after the previous one and it was widely suspected that the country could see a sharp rise in cases around September and October, some calculations, and mathematical models have now suggested that cases could rise further in the coming months, with factors like festive crowds, revenge travel, complacencies in measures, or waning immunity possibly fuel the surge of cases. Some also feel that active preparedness, active vaccination coverage may have helped offset the start of the third wave.

On the contrast, while we have been able to take control of COVID, and have preventive measures in place, the staggering uptick in the number of flu, viral infection and dengue cases- all seasonal infections have caused a crisis-like situation in the country. Even though most of the infections tend to circulate in a milder manner, infections have been reported to be much severe, and threatening this time around.

While COVID-19, flu and dengue are all different respiratory infections spread by viruses, the flu and dengue epidemic together at the time when COVID-19 and its variants are a lurking threat can contribute to fears of a 'twindemic'. Experts have also warned that the risks of a twindemic are much higher this year, in comparison to last year.

Twindemic refers to the possibility of a severe flu season amid increasing numbers of coronavirus cases. While we are not only facing risks from the exceptionally scary Delta variant of coronavirus, the flu season is also severe this year, which raises the risk of severe symptoms, hospitalization. Apart from that, there also runs the risk of coinfection, which can increase the severity of COVID infections. Falling prey to infections, can also considerably weaken immune defence, and make recovery a lot more troubling.

There's also a sharp rise in complications reported with flu and dengue cases, since symptoms of COVID-19, dengue and flu are quite similar to each other. The apparent similarity in a number of respiratory and inflammatary symptoms can delay diagnostic timelines, and prolong recovery times.

This is one of the reasons why doctors have been stressing on early diagnosis, and awareness about symptoms. Even with overlapping symptoms, it remains important to keep in mind symptoms , and look for the onset of infection signs which can help one make a prompt diagnosis and seek the right treatment.

While we have come to know about COVID-19 severity right now, even with flu and dengue, there's a startling rise in the severity observed with the severity of these symptoms.

According to doctors, while we had little to none flu exposure last year, we are all at a higher risk of flu and viral illnesses this year. Even with a routine exposure (even if you do not get sick), the body makes helpful antibodies. But, in this case, with low exposure , flu attacks could be intense, make symptoms feel worse, and could also be a reason why infections do not tend to recover fast. It could also be doubly risky for adults and children, who are most at risk with their fragile immune system. There's also a looming fear of long flu, just like long COVID, which can put one's health at risk.

September-October and the seasonal changes setting in right now are big caveats for flu cases to shoot up . While there's no saying how severe or manageable a particular flu season could be, some preventive measures right now, apart from COVID-appropriate behaviour and timely vaccination can save us from facing dangers of a twindemic:

-Washing and disinfecting hands frequently. Do not touch eyes, nose or the mouth with contaminated, germy hands.

-Maintain your distance when you are out, and limit touching frequently-accessed surfaces

-Limit your contact if you feel sick, or develop some symptoms, even if it's just a cold or a slight fever

-Wear a mask when you stop. A mask would be able to garner protection even when others around you do not wear one.

-Carry a sanitizer with you whenever you step out.

-Minimize exposure if you are at risk

-Check your symptoms, get timely help to manage your condition in a better way.

It should be noted that just as COVID measures were able to minimize the flu season from getting worse last year, the same measures, and adequate respiratory hygiene will be sufficient to cover risks of any such infections as well.