As summer came to an end and the United States entered the fall and winter seasons, doctors worried about a “twindemic” – a situation in which both flu and COVID-19 spread at the same time.
However, experts told ABC News that the country may now be facing a “tripledemic” as doctors observe an early rise in other pediatric respiratory viruses, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Respiratory illnesses are appearing earlier and in more people than in previous years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the federal health agency, there has also been an increase in flu activity across most of the United States, with indications that this season could be much more severe than the previous two.
According to an ABC News analysis, pediatric bed occupancy in the United States was at its highest in two years as of Monday afternoon, with 75% of the estimated 40,000 beds filled with patients.
“The same thing applies to COVID vaccine,” Laham continued. Some children became ill with COVID early in the pandemic and did not receive the vaccine. We know it works, and we know it’s extremely safe.”
Furthermore, experts advise parents to consider having their children wear masks and to ensure that they practice good hand hygiene by thoroughly washing their hands with soap and water.
“Another thing schools and students can do is bring hand sanitizer and wipes to school to clean their hands and wipe down surfaces,” Dr. Tom Murray, an associate professor of pediatrics in the section of infectious diseases at Yale University School of Medicine, told ABC News. “Once again, common touch points, though wiping down contaminated surfaces is especially important when dealing with viruses like RSV.”
