Influenza and COVID-19: The Twindemic

Nurses COVID

Updated:   Published

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As public health officials look to fall and Winter, the specter of a new surge of Covid-19 gives them chills. But there is a scenario they dread even more: a severe flu season, resulting in a “twindemic.”

But now, fighting flu proactively during the continuing pandemic presents significant challenges: not only how to administer the shot safely and readily, but also how to prompt people to get a shot that a majority of Americans have typically distrusted, dismissed and skipped.

Fearing a 'Twindemic,' Health Experts Push Urgently for Flu Shots

Are you getting the Flu shot this year?

Do you think the COVID-19 Pandemic will heighten during the Flu season?

Specializes in Emergency.

Will get mine as soon as available. Also watching Australia. Generally as they go, so do we.

2 Votes

Getting my flu shot as always this year-but ASAP-not waiting for my employer-that almost landed me strip to the ER last year-O2 sats low 80s and I was working to get that oxygen-my lungs were TIRED-I also saw what happens when we can no longer compensate in patients-it’s a code. Doc treated me In his office with IMs and gave me lender nebulizer to take home until I could get one through insurance- I will never wait again. It also gave me a reality check on COVID19-if the flu can go this bad in 3 days-what will COVID do?

I have gotten the flu shot since I was pregnant with my daughter. At that time I was healthy with no known pre-existing conditions. It ha been about 50% effective. I say this because I now have lung problems and I get the dreaded swab when I get the tell tale cough I only get with the flu (or maybe now with COVID19-hope to no find out) and it’s always positive when I go in. I know my body and so do a lot of patients. If they tell you they think it’s something because they’ve been there before-it’s worth trusting them and checking because often times- they are right.

regardless of it’s hx of about 50% effectiveness-get your flu shot. It will not give you the flu. If you get sick-you had a stain that it didn’t cover or it didn’t work- but at least try to protect yourself and others. People are worried they have Covid now with a sore throat-do we not get the common cold anymore?

4 Votes
Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
On 8/19/2020 at 8:31 PM, Kitiger said:

I got my flu shot yesterday. It's a little early, but I didn't want to have to deal with shortages, later in the season.

My client tried to make an appointment at his doctor's to get the flu shot next week, but was told they don't have it yet. "Try again in the middle of September."

1 Votes
Specializes in Cardiology.

Not sure yet tbh. If we have to wear masks still what is the point?

On 8/21/2020 at 7:22 PM, Kitiger said:

My client tried to make an appointment at his doctor's to get the flu shot next week, but was told they don't have it yet. "Try again in the middle of September."

I'm not sure why everyone tries to make appts for influenza injections? There are flu clinics and you can walk into a pharmacy for an injection. The pharmacies are stocked!

Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
5 hours ago, 2BS Nurse said:

I'm not sure why everyone tries to make appts for influenza injections? There are flu clinics and you can walk into a pharmacy for an injection. The pharmacies are stocked!

I got mine at Walgreen Pharmacy.

My client is very high risk, and only goes out when necessary, only for doctor appointments.

Is it true that we try to keep COVID patients dry, while flu patients need extra fluids? (Sorry, I switched my focus, but the site merged my comments.)

1 Votes
10 hours ago, 2BS Nurse said:

I'm not sure why everyone tries to make appts for influenza injections?

Preference of receiving health care from their PCP/office.

4 Votes

I have no choice but to get a flu shot or join the unemployment line but probably many more people will actively choose to get flu shots his year. With widespread mask wearing and social distancing requirements I view the 2020-2021 flu season as a proxy for the effectiveness of Covid prevention measures since both diseases spread in a similar fashion.

If rates of flu infection are significantly down from previous years then we know that the social distancing, mask wearing etc was probably worth the disruption to people's jobs, schooling, businesses etc.

If flu rates are similar or only slightly down then we know that countries like Sweden which did not quarantine and shutdown the economy responded wisely.?

Specializes in Dialysis.

I get it, hubby's employer requires it or he gets to be unemployed

2 Votes
Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
1 hour ago, mtlrn said:

I have no choice but to get a flu shot or join the unemployment line but probably many more people will actively choose to get flu shots his year. With widespread mask wearing and social distancing requirements I view the 2020-2021 flu season as a proxy for the effectiveness of Covid prevention measures since both diseases spread in a similar fashion.

If rates of flu infection are significantly down from previous years then we know that the social distancing, mask wearing etc was probably worth the disruption to people's jobs, schooling, businesses etc.

If flu rates are similar or only slightly down then we know that countries like Sweden which did not quarantine and shutdown the economy responded wisely.?

If more people get the flu shot this year than last, you'll have to figure that into your equation.

1 Votes
Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

We were taught that HIV spreads more easily when the person also has hepatitis B. (Is that still the understanding?)

What if COVID 19 spreads more easily when the person has the flu?

Is that possible?

1 Votes
Specializes in Dialysis.
47 minutes ago, Kitiger said:

We were taught that HIV spreads more easily when the person also has hepatitis B. (Is that still the understanding?)

What if COVID 19 spreads more easily when the person has the flu?

Is that possible?

Good question

1 Votes
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