Searching for some good to come from the COVID-19 pandemic may minimally mitigate a bit of the malevolence the world is currently experiencing.
Flu numbers in the U.S. were historically low this past spring after COVID-19 struck, with deep declines also occurring in the recently completed Southern Hemisphere flu season, CDC researchers found according to an article in MedPage Today based on CDC findings. Handwashing, wearing masks, distancing physically, traveling less, and banning large group activities may help prevent the spread of not only COVID-19 but also influenza.
The number of specimens testing positive for influenza this past spring declined from the usual 20+% to 2.3% and have remained at historically low levels of 0.2% versus the typical 1 to 2%. Data from the Southern Hemisphere countries, which have their flu season preceding that of the Northern Hemisphere, have also indicated little influenza activity.
Nonetheless, preventing flu by receiving an annual flu shot decreases the chance of getting the flu by about 60%. If you do get the flu after vaccination, the disease is less likely to be virulent and typically will require less intensive treatment. This coming winter will be especially tricky diagnostically and therapeutically as COVID-19 continues and the seasonal flu season commences.
Both infectious illnesses can be prevented to a great extent by handwashing, which has been and should remain non-controversial. The pandemic has increased handwashing. “Compared to October 2019 the odds of adults remembering to wash their hands in June 2020 after coughing, sneezing, and blowing their nose were 2.3 times higher, 2.0 times higher before eating in a restaurant, and 1.7 times higher before eating at home,” according to a CDC report. Men, younger adults age 18 to 24, and non-Hispanic white adults were less likely to remember to wash their hands. Black persons and Hispanic persons reported remembering to wash their hands more often.
Frequent hand washing with soap for about twenty seconds is effective. If sinks are not available, then instant hand sanitizers work well and may be more convenient in many situations. The problem remains that many public restrooms necessitate touching potentially dirty surfaces such as faucet handles, paper towel dispensers and doors, after hands have been washed. Just being careful, without being too obsessive, can avoid most of these problems.
Prevention is always so much more effective than any treatment. Individuals should be responsible, thereby making a difference for others with whom they are close enough to transmit contagion. We help ourselves by observing reasonable practices, which include frequent hand washing and by keeping our hands away from our faces. Without cooperation, infection spreads. Avoiding COVID-19 and influenza will help everyone and society.
