The health community is on the look out for a “Twindemic” and reports are beginning to surface about patients who have tested positive for both the flu and Covid. There were reports last week as far apart as California and Tennessee. Obviously it is just a matter of time before Maryland reports as well, especially after Thanksgiving.
If we are lucky it will be a light flu season because the same measures that prevent Covid also prevent the flu. But if we are not it could be disastrous.
The most glaring difference between prevention of the two conditions is that there is a vaccine for the flu which is as specific as possible for this season’s flu.Sadly, we don't have one for Covid.
The commonest reason people tell me they won’t take the flu shot is because “I’ve never had the flu.” You’ve never had Covid either!
I would like to suggest that those who haven’t had their flu shot for this season yet, rethink that decision.
Symptoms of the flu can be like early symptoms of COVID-19, so people with these symptoms may require a COVID-19 test and then will have to stay home from work and isolate from the family until they get their results.
When you have influenza, which is a respiratory illness, in addition to COVID, which also impacts the respiratory tract, it only makes sense that you are going to have a serious respiratory component with shortness of breath and the potential for respiratory failure is very high.
Vaccination not only reduces the risk of catching the flu, it also reduces the chance that you will be hospitalized. In other words, the flu vaccine will provide some protection and reduce your chances of needing a ventilator if you do get sick with Covid.
A word to the wise, rethink the flu shot and get it as soon as possible.
There is another epidemic going on that is not much talked about and that is Anxiety. The whole nation is gripped by anxiety and many are embarrassed to admit it. Please if you feel it is affecting your quality of life, reach out and seek help. I am here to help you.
For those of you who like the outdoors remember to get out there now, winter is coming. There are still lots of places you can go and still have social distancing.
I was in Rehoboth today, the beach is amazingly clean and there was almost no one out there. https://youtu.be/gWNJP5e6Wkg
Get creative, there are so many outside places you can go before it gets too cold.
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