February 7, 2023 – About 40% of U.S. households had no less than one person fall unwell with considered one of the three respiratory diseases often called the tripledemic throughout the holiday season, a brand new survey shows.
The three viruses – influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – surged throughout the holidays, driving hospitalization rates for influenza and RSV to record levels. According to the Survey results According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 27% of households reported someone having the flu, 15% of households had COVID-19 infections, and 10% reported RSV infection.
Most people (75%) said they tried to get over-the-counter medications to treat their illness. One in five respondents said that they had difficulty finding these medications as a result of shortages. Parents were more more likely to report problems obtaining over-the-counter medications than non-parents.
Most individuals who have had the flu or COVID-19 haven’t tried to get prescription medications that may ease the illness. Among individuals who have had the flu, 16% searched for the drug Tamiflu, while 14% of people that have had COVID-19 searched for the drug Paxlovid.
About 1 in 10 people had never heard of Tamiflu or Paxlovid.
All viruses of the “triple epidemic” have been in retreat recently. RSV The variety of cases has fallen from over 20,000 per week in November to lower than 1,000 per week. flu The variety of cases also continues to say no, but the entire variety of hospitalizations during your entire flu season remains to be more likely to be considered one of the best lately. COVID-19 The variety of cases has also decreased.
The outbreak of the three viruses made headlines and prompted health authorities to induce the general public to take precautions equivalent to getting vaccinated against flu and COVID. While the uptake of Flu vaccinations This season is average for kids (51%) and barely higher for adults (46%), COVID vaccine uptake was disappointing, at only 16% for the newest booster.
But people were willing to take other precautions within the face of the triple epidemic, the survey results show. Almost half of respondents said that they had taken no less than one protective measure, equivalent to wearing a mask in public, avoiding large crowds, traveling less or avoiding indoor dining in restaurants. Wearing a mask was probably the most common precaution at 31%.
People of various races reported taking precautions to various degrees. Two-thirds (67%) of black and Hispanic adults said that they had taken no less than one precaution, while only 38% of white adults said that they had modified their behavior.
The survey included responses from 1,234 U.S. adults reached by phone or online in English or Spanish from January 17-24, 2023.