Battling flu amidst COVID-19 outbreak? What you should know
The recent surge in the number of flu cases coming up during current COVID-19 times has been dubbed to be as concerning as a 'twindemic'. From confusing symptoms, an illness which can seem unnerving and exhausting to poor vaccinations, a disease which was put out of sight by many, thanks to the COVID-19 crisis, flu and viral cases have been rising in India and other countries in a sharp manner.
ALSO READ: Why are flu symptoms confusing people right now?
While on one hand, people are being urged to get both the flu and COVID vaccine shots at the earliest, what's also being noticed is that unlike usual, infection symptoms are taking a longer time to resolve. Even a typical viral fever can last for days. Severity has also been associated with dengue cases detected now as well. But what's causing this? We try to decode what's making flu season all the more cumbersome right now
Why are flu and viral cases rising along with COVID-19?
Even though flu outbreaks were relatively put on the backburner because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's been an unfortunate rise in the number of flu and viral cases we are seeing after the second wave of the pandemic. While flu is expected with seasonal changes, the intensity of illness, and the sheer number of people falling ill with flu and other viral ailment symptoms are quite high this time.
A prime reason as to why we are seeing a heavier flu and viral season come up right now is because of poor vaccination records, it could also be factored due to the lax measures people are taking. While general awareness and heightened precautions made flu almost a 'low risk' problem last year, many people have become complacent, not paying attention to mask hygiene and there is a generally high prevalence of respiratory viruses right now. Even with dengue, doctors have now warned that a new variant, DENV-2 has come up, which is not just severe, but also causing grave outcomes.
How long does a flu infection last for, typically?
While flu has a shorter exposure time than COVID (since flu symptoms can show up 2-4 days post exposure), the illness can be slightly uncomfortable , and tend to last for 7 to 10 days, amongst healthy individuals. A week is almost taken to be the average time for the immune system to quash off the flu causing pathogen, and build antibodies.
People who have pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, immunosuppressant problems or high blood pressure may also take longer to recover, and undergo illness symptoms for upwards of a week, since their immune response could be less efficient.
Why we many be more vulnerable this year, and why symptoms could persist
The COVID-19 pandemic in many ways has made us complacent about other viruses in circulation, and the flu is no exception. Not only could COVID risk make many remain confused about their symptoms, it could also prolong the diagnostic and management time.
It's also important to understand that waning exposure to flu, lingering COVID-19 risk and more people stepping back into normal lives could make a case for a more intense flu season.
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.
Post-viral symptoms could linger on as well
Yet another reason for flu to feel much worse than usual could be a sense of viral fatigue. While we are coming to terms with the phenomenon of confusing long COVID, even other viral illnesses could cause lingering symptoms (less intense or severe as long COVID though), and make one continue to battle some symptoms. This condition, known as post-viral fatigue, can also be a possible reason why some people may continue to experience a prolonged recovery timeline with a flu infection, or still feel sick, even after the virus has been rooted out.
How can we prevent flu season from getting worse, right now?
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 step outside. 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.