LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Health Professionals in Kentucky say months of trying to stop the spread of COVID-19 has helped curb the spread of the flu virus and other illnesses.
What You Need To Know
- Mask wearing and social distancing has slowed the spread of influenza this year
- Hospitals and experts are reporting the lowest amount of flu activity in years
- More people receiving flu vaccines this year has also helped
- Experts advise remaining cautious and maintaining health and safety precautions
As peak flu season approaches, activity has dropped to the lowest in years.
Dr. Heather Felton is a pediatrician at Norton Children’s Germantown in Louisville. She said she usually starts seeing an influx of influenza cases in the winter time.
"I’ve diagnosed zero exactly zero flu cases in my office this year, so that’s quite unusual for us," Felton said.
She attributed the decrease to measures being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I think masking definitely helps. I think that for me because I’m a pediatrician our kids have not been in school and so they’ve remained social distanced from each other," Felton suggested.
In the most recent data, Norton Healthcare reported 40 cases of influenza since October. From October 2019 to January 2020, the hospital system reported 13,454 flu cases.
Felton said the currently mild flu season didn’t come as a surprise. Medical professionals often review other countries in the Southern Hemisphere to predict what our flu season will look like.
“We had a little bit of an idea that this was possible for us this winter because their flu season was so bare last winter which was the summer time for us,” Felton said.
Another contributing factor, a number of people are rolling up their sleeves and receiving the flu vaccine.
“I’ve had some patients this year who most years I don’t usually get the flu vaccine and I’ll say 'I understand that, but if you’re going to get the flu vaccine this is the year to get it,'” Felton said.
Without preventative measures in place and flu vaccines being administered, though, she said it would have been a different story for hospital staff.
“I think you would be seeing this Twindemic where we get flu and for kids RSV, which can cause bronchiolitis and puts a lot of infants and toddlers in the hospital each year," Felton explained.
Health professionals pointed out that while the flu is contagious , COVID-19 spreads much easier. Despite the initial positive indications, however, Felton said she remain cautious.
“When you see the spike in cases is when you really need to be the most vigilant. But anytime that you let your guard down is when you are putting self at risk for another increase in cases."
Dr. Felton says if you haven’t received a flu shot yet, you should. She says if you get COVID-19, you will be protected from getting another respiratory illness on top of it.