COVID-19 and Influenza – Medical Economics

Vaccine experts discuss coinfection with COVID-19 and influenza.

Jason Lee, M.S., Ph.D.(c): Obviously, weve been talking a lot about influenza, but we cant forget about COVID-19. Were still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we wouldnt expect it to disappear this fall. What are your thoughts about cocirculation of both COVID-19 and influenza? Also, from a practice perspective, how do you treat patients who may be coming in with both flu and COVID-19 and having to juggle the different vaccinations on top of all of that?

John J. Russell, M.D.: Were looking at the study out of Wuhan, China, very early on, but the twindemic never came. There were some studies in April out of Northern California that talked about 20% of people having multiple viruses early on, but we havent seen the full force of it. But some of the good changes that have come out of it include moving multiplex testing into primary care offices. If Im unsure whether this person has COVID-19, influenza, or RSV [respiratory syncytial virus], if I can do one swab and have an answer, that might be really helpful. Maybe Id use some of the new medicines we have for COVID-19. Maybe Id use some of the medicines we have for influenza. I dont have a treatment for RSV, but having a diagnosis makes it much less likely that Im going to give someone antibiotics that they dont necessarily need. Moving diagnostic testing from the ED [emergency department] to a primary care office can lead to better care for our patients.

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COVID-19 and Influenza - Medical Economics