Top RI Doctor Philip Chan Talks How Flu, RSV and Norovirus Are Hitting RI Hard
Top RI Doctor Philip Chan Talks How Flu, RSV and Norovirus Are Hitting RI Hard
"The CDC estimates that over 29 million people in the U.S. have been infected by flu. I've heard this referred to as a 'quademic' with norovirus, flu, RSV, and COVID as well, but regardless, these are putting tremendous stress not just on the hospitals but the outpatient, the primary care providers in general; it's been really difficult to get in to see a doctor," said Dr. Chan, who works for Brown Health and consults with the Rhode Island Department of Health.
"We are seeing people die from the flu, not many, but some. Here in the state of Rhode Island this year, we've had seven people who've passed away from the flu. We've also in the last seven or eight months, still had over 100 people have passed away from COVID," said Dr. Chan.
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The Flu
"The flu does mutate from year to year, and that's why we need a new flu vaccine each year, and so some years it just kind of hits and others it misses the mark," said Dr. Chan.
"We are seeing really low flu vaccine rates across the country in general, around 40 plus a little bit above 40%, which is way down from previous years," he added.
Dr. Chan said progress is being made in the development of a flu shot that will be effective against all strains and will only need to be taken once.
Best Practices
According to RIDOH, the following steps are recommended to prevent flu and other respiratory viruses (such as COVID-19 and RSV):
- Everyone 6 months or older should get a flu shot and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. It is not too late in the year to get vaccinated against either virus. Vaccination is particularly important for older adults and people with underlying health issues such as weakened immune systems, diabetes, obesity, asthma, cancer, and heart or lung disease. Many people are also eligible for RSV immunizations. Talk to your healthcare professional about RSV immunization.
- Stay home and away from others until your symptoms are getting better for 24 hours and you are fever-free without fever-reducing medications for 24 hours. Children who are sick should not go to school or childcare.
- Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. Always wash your hands as soon as you can after you cough or sneeze.
How to prevent norovirus:
- Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus.
- Stay home if you are sick and keep children home from school and childcare if they are sick. Stay home when sick for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.
- After an episode of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label or a solution made by adding 5–25 tablespoons of household bleach to 1 gallon of water.
- Do not prepare food while infected. People who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.