Hospitals are feeling the strain of a COVID surge, a bad flu season, and a rising number of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, cases. Kid-friendly versions of cold and flu medicines are in short supply on store shelves due to this “triple dememia,” and the CDC is again recommending masks to mitigate the spread during holiday socializing.
It may seem like the pandemic is over, but we’re still experiencing the fallout, USC experts say. And COVID is still in widespread circulation as people fill malls and gather for celebrations.
“COVID has proven to be the costliest disaster in United States history, both in terms of loss of life and economic activity. Although the economy continues to recover, my analyzes indicate that past surges have significantly stunted that progress,” said Adam Rose, a research professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy and an expert in the economics of natural and man-made hazards. .
“In contrast, the flu has historically been shown to be only a relatively minor problem in terms of any slowdown in economic activity,” Rose said. “However, we must be sensitive to the fact that both COVID and the flu disproportionately affect older people and people of color.”
‘Triple-demic’: Children are not mini-adults, so be careful with medicines
Hospitals aren’t the only ones facing a triple whammy of disease. At home, parents struggle to deal with children who are sick with one or a combination of the three viruses.
Those looking to manage their children’s symptoms with over-the-counter medications are finding pediatric formulations of acetaminophen and ibuprofen hard to find, as are other over-the-counter medications to relieve runny noses and coughs.
It may be tempting for some to use a smaller amount of an adult-grade packaged medication, but USC pharmacists caution against this.
“The use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen is best guided by clinical providers. With a shortage of pediatric-specific dosage forms, caregivers can risk inaccurate and potentially toxic dosing if they attempt to use adult dosage forms,” said Irving Steinberg, associate professor of clinical pharmacy and pediatrics in the College of Pharmacy and Medicine. Alfred E. Mann of USC. pharmaceutical sciences.
Steinberg notes that 1 in 5 toxic exposures of adult acetaminophen doses in 2020 were in children under the age of 6, according to national data from 55 US poison control centers.
Children with a fever who have not been eating well are at particular risk of liver toxicity if given an adult dose.
“Similarly, the risks of acute kidney injury are increased by repeated high doses of ibuprofen, especially if the child is dehydrated,” advises Steinberg. “The over-the-counter availability of these medications makes it all the more important that pharmacists and pediatricians are aware of these concerns and communicate effectively with patients and caregivers.”
COVID hits homeless population especially hard as ‘triple-demic’ looms
In Los Angeles, more than 40,000 homeless people face one of the highest risks of dying from COVID.
During the first 22 months of the pandemic, 256 homeless people died with COVID, according to a new USC-UCLA study in JAMA Network Open. Their risk of death was more than double that of the general population.
“Given the higher death rates from COVID-19 that we found among the homeless in Los Angeles, the rise in other infectious diseases, such as influenza and RSV, is concerning,” said study co-author Benjamin Henwood, a professor from USC Suzanne Dworak- Peck School of Social Work.
“COVID-19, like many infectious diseases, is what we call a ‘housing-sensitive condition.’ More aggressive housing and homelessness prevention interventions are needed to mitigate these conditions,” Henwood said. “We also need better data on the specific risks that make homeless people vulnerable to COVID-19.”
A record number of flu admissions; vaccination is still important
Edward Jones-Lopez, an infectious disease expert at the USC Keck School of Medicine, reports a high number of hospital admissions for flu. It’s common for viral illnesses to peak when colder temperatures force people to stay indoors, he said.
But there is a remedy for that.
“The bivalent COVID vaccine is incredibly important,” Jones-Lopez said. “Acceptance rates right now are abysmal. There is also an effective flu vaccine, and this year’s formulation is a good combination. It may be a little late in the season, but it’s never too late to get vaccinated.”
More stories about: COVID-19, Experts in COVID-19, Infectious Diseases
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