COVID, Flu, and RSV: The Deadly Trio

Co-infection of COVID and Flu (or RSV) Understanding the Risks and Implications

Getting COVID and flu (or RSV) at the same time – what can happen?

Published: Nov. 8, 2023

Getting COVID-19: No fun. The same goes for the flu or RSV. But imagine getting hit with not just one, but two of these respiratory viruses at the same time. Now, that’s what I call a dangerous situation!

As the chilly months approach, so does the spread of the deadly trio: COVID, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). But don’t start panicking just yet! We have some good news. We now have an updated COVID vaccine, flu shots that protect against multiple strains, and RSV vaccines for vulnerable groups. Despite our efforts to prevent the spread, some unfortunate souls may still find themselves battling not just one, but two of these viruses during the winter season.

Now, before you start envisioning a chaotic winter season with all three viruses wreaking havoc, hold on a second. Last year’s data from the CDC showed that RSV, COVID, and the flu didn’t all peak at the same time. And that’s a relief! Not only for patients but also for our healthcare systems.

Last winter, Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care doctor at Johns Hopkins, encountered a handful of patients with co-infections of COVID and flu. And let me tell you, those patients were the sickest of the sick. In fact, every single one of them ended up in the intensive care unit. Talk about a double whammy!

• Many New Moms Struggle to Access Health Care and Support after Baby...
• News Picture: Your ‘Biological Age’ Could Affect Your Odds for Stro...
• Sharks’ Amazing Healing Powers: More Than Just “Jaws”

But how can you tell if you’ve been hit by more than one virus? Well, it’s not easy. Most diagnoses of co-infections come from hospitalized patients, where doctors typically test for all three viruses. But for those who don’t require hospitalization, they might not even know they have multiple infections. After all, the symptoms of runny nose, cough, fever, and body aches can occur with all three viruses.

Wait, there’s hope! Thanks to the accessibility of COVID tests, if you test positive for COVID, you probably won’t rush to get tested for flu or RSV unless your condition worsens. However, if you’re elderly, very young, or have a weakened immune system, it’s crucial to seek further testing as soon as possible.

But listen, even if you don’t fall into those high-risk categories, you can still get tested for all three viruses. And here’s a little secret: chances are, if you have two viruses, it’s probably COVID and flu, not RSV. Early testing in such cases can save you from a lot of pain and suffering because we have antiviral treatments for flu and COVID that we don’t have for RSV.

Now, let’s say you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having both flu and COVID. Don’t panic! Take a deep breath and listen to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong’s advice. He says, “first thing is, don’t panic.” Wise words, my friend.

If you test positive for COVID at home and have symptoms, try getting your hands on the drug Paxlovid within the first five days of falling ill. And if it turns out you also have the flu, you can take antivirals like Tamiflu within the first 48 hours of symptoms. These treatments may just shorten the illness by a day or more. Who wouldn’t want that?

But wait! There seems to be some confusion about who qualifies for Paxlovid. The FDA has given the green light for its use in adults with “mild to moderate” COVID-19 at high risk of developing severe symptoms. So, don’t assume you’re not at risk and miss out on potential treatment.

Unfortunately, some people are still hesitant to take Paxlovid. Some patients worry about the dreaded “rebound” effect, while some doctors are cautious about prescribing it. But we need to change that mindset, my friends. As Dr. Bernard Camins, an infectious disease expert, says, “We need to be more willing to prescribe Paxlovid as physicians.” Delaying treatment might leave patients in worse condition than they realize.

Speaking of rebounds, let’s clear the air. The rebound effect, where patients develop COVID symptoms shortly after recovering, might sound scary. However, doctors like Chin-Hong and Camins want you to understand that rebounds can happen with or without Paxlovid. And during the respiratory virus season, what you might think is a rebound of COVID symptoms may actually be another virus, like influenza or RSV.

Now, the burning question: does having one virus make you more susceptible to getting another? Well, it’s a bit complicated. It depends on various factors such as your activities, timing of infection, and, of course, who you are.

Studies have shown that recovering from COVID can cause long-term damage to the immune system. Additionally, having multiple infections at once can make you even sicker, just like Dr. Galiatsatos observed in his patients. Some studies even highlight that patients who tested positive for influenza had a decreased risk of testing positive for COVID. But when co-infections did occur, the disease was much more severe and left long-term damage to the lungs.

COVID seems to be the common denominator for those with multiple infections. Its ability to weaken the immune system and invade immune cells makes patients more vulnerable to catching other viruses. However, there’s still a lot we don’t know about co-infections. According to Dr. William Schaffner, an expert in infectious diseases, a person without a compromised immune system isn’t more likely to get infected with another virus unless their behaviors expose them to greater risks.

So before you embark on a quest to contract all three viruses this winter, remember that your actions matter. Vaccination, mask-wearing, and avoiding crowded places can significantly lower your chances of becoming a real-life viral buffet.

Stay safe, folks! And remember, as the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Now, over to you, dear readers. Have you ever experienced a co-infection? Share your stories and let’s tackle this topic together!