January 11, 2024- This year’s respiratory season has looked much different than last year’s. COVID-19, the flu, and RSV number continue to rise across the United States. Last winter, flu and RSV infections were already declining by the time hospitalizations from the omicron virus started to spike in December 2022. With all the respiratory illnesses circulating, how worried should you be about getting multiple at the same time, or coinfection?
Fortunately, becoming infected with Covid and the flu is rare. Viral interference, a phenomenon where infection with one virus ramps up the body’s immune system, can make it less likely to get infected with another virus. While respiratory disease is on the rise, physicians are not seeing increased rates of patients with both the flu and COVID, according to an NBC News article. To avoid risk of serious illness, individuals should get vaccinated, test for COVID when sick, and stay home to avoid spreading respiratory illness.