Flu is roaring back in India

[Kokeshi123]

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/the-flu-wave-several-people-in-different-parts-of-india-are-currently-down-with-flu-like-symptoms/articleshow/85480930.cms

Apologies if I sound like a stuck record--I know I mentioned this on another thread here. But scientists are getting really worried about what will happen as the flu comes back, which it inevitably will. India is already seeing an unseasonably early outbreak. The world is likely to have unusually low immunity levels because the flu was almost absent last year; normally, the virus buzzes around and we all get exposed a little bit, even if we didn't actually "come down with" the flu. People who did not get the vax last year will have low immunity levels. This is likely to mean increased severity, and possibly an outbreak earlier than the usual flu season.

All countries need to start getting their act together now: get the flu jabs up and running ASAPeven countries in the southern hemisphere. And I'd urge everyone here to get the flu jab and encourage everyone they know to do the same, as soon as it's availableeven people who wouldn't normally get the vaccine.

I'm actually more nervous about this than about COVID right now.

Yes it really, really wasn’t like a normal cold was it - for us the snottiness was there but my entire face/head felt swollen, even my eyes hurt. So grim, especially in the heat. I’m hoping we will get a deep freeze this winter to kill some of the bugs off - mild & rainy is a recipe for germs

We’ve just had this. I’m still getting over it. DH spent a day in bed which is extremely unlike him and toddler DD was very ill with it. I’m missing this lovely weather by just being flopped, exhausted, on the sofa.

[quote Realyorkshiretea]@whatswithtodaytoday do you think? I did a PCR and a few lateral flows, all negative. I was convinced I had it - it didn’t feel like anything I had had before, and I’m still fatigued weeks later. Can you be covid positive and receive negative test results?[/quote]
It's a cold virus. I've had similar, and endured everyone telling me "IT COULD BE COVID." like nothing else exists. I tested, LFT's and PCR despite the only symptom (which I get with most colds) being a cough.

I'm not in Australia, but really people don't take the 'flu seriously here. Where I used to work we got vaccinated for free, and there was always a very low uptake. The elderly and those with chronic illness get it free and some workplaces also offer it, but everyone else has to pay and I really don't see people taking it any more seriously than they usually do.

@realyotkshiretea it could have been RSV. That's the virus that usually circulates around November/December - spreads like wildfire amongst kids (and hospitalises an awful lot of very young kids) People used to think it was the flu when they got it as they felt so rough, and then people looked back on 2019 and are convinced it was Covid.

Flu is a big worry to me because of the fact there’s now a precedent for severe restrictions on everybody’s lives to protect the NHS. There is always, always a winter crisis which this year will be exacerbated by covid, the backlog and potentially a bad flu year too. The lobbying and pressure from groups for more lockdowns will be immense.

@RobinPenguins

Flu is a big worry to me because of the fact there’s now a precedent for severe restrictions on everybody’s lives to protect the NHS. There is always, always a winter crisis which this year will be exacerbated by covid, the backlog and potentially a bad flu year too. The lobbying and pressure from groups for more lockdowns will be immense.

Exactly right. I think I remember something said by (JVT?) one of the medical advisors iirc at the beginning, around perhaps being less tolerant of the sort of illnesses we used to put up with. They weren't talking about new vaccines or treatments, they were discussing the imposition of (covid style social, travel and business) restrictions to reduce annual winter burden on hospitals.

It'll be a worry if that sort of talk starts up again.

There are plenty of other viruses around and we have much less immunity to them after 18 months. Not everything is Covid. And it isn't the only thing we need to worry about.

Flu is a big worry to me because of the fact there’s now a precedent for severe restrictions on everybody’s lives to protect the NHS. There is always, always a winter crisis which this year will be exacerbated by covid, the backlog and potentially a bad flu year too. The lobbying and pressure from groups for more lockdowns will be immense.

It worries me too. Pushing the flu vaccine and improving ventilation/hand hygiene is one thing. But we can't keep having restrictions on people's lives as a regular thing in winter.

[quote Whattheflecker]@realyotkshiretea it could have been RSV. That's the virus that usually circulates around November/December - spreads like wildfire amongst kids (and hospitalises an awful lot of very young kids) People used to think it was the flu when they got it as they felt so rough, and then people looked back on 2019 and are convinced it was Covid.[/quote]
Thanks, I’ll look it up. In some way I guess I was hoping it was covid, just to get it out the way! But you’re right it was probably something else.

@dementedpixie

Our secondary school in Scotland are now going to be offering nasal flu vaccine for the 1st time this year. Previously it was only primary age children who got it

My kid got offered one at his school as well.

There was supply issues last year as well wasn't there? I couldn't pay for one like I usually do and instead had to get it on the strength of being a carer.

@Realyorkshiretea

We are just getting over what I reckon is the same bug. I've hardly got out of he'd for a week, feeling so weak and achy.

We stupidly went to soft play, first time in two years...

Took 3 home tests plus one at drive through, all negative