What is Tridemic? Is the World Headed Towards a Tridemic?

Canadian healthcare systems are overwhelmed with “tridemic”, which is a triple epidemic threat of Covid 19, Influenza and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). The threat has been considered as a serious issue since nearly 20,000 people were hospitalized from the flu, which is nearly double the number from previous week.

The World Health Organization has released a warning that cases of respiratory illnesses are increasing this year, and severe measures are being examined globally to stop the virus spread. Public health experts warned that although the majority of Covid, influenza virus, and RSV cases are expected to be mild, but combined they might infect millions of people and overcrowd hospitals.

It has been estimated that there have been 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations, and 4,500 deaths from the flu this season in Canada. This count can become similar in other countries as well if precautionary measures are not taken.  RSV predominantly affects the children, because of their lower immunity level. It can lead to more severe conditions like bronchiolitis, an infection of the small airways in the lung, which is especially dangerous for small and premature infants. Adults with weakened immune systems are also more likely to develop significant COVID-19 and flu infections as well as RSV complications. It is important the everyone understands the difference between covid and flu.

Health experts predict that there is a massive spread of the virus as people are happily gearing up for the Christmas and New Year without any restrictions. “We are officially in respiratory viral season. That includes everything you can think of from the common cold to more severe illnesses, and it has begun with a vengeance,” said  Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention and control for UC Health and one of the top infectious disease experts in Colorado.

People might travel to and from various countries and so there are high chances of the virus to spread. Reduced mask use, loosened travel restrictions, and low COVID-19 and flu vaccination rates are the potential factors in the increased transmission of the illnesses. Therefore, people are often advised to wear their masks regularly in the public place, wash their hands often, to maintain social distancing, and to have a healthy immune food.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu is the only way to stay safe during the potential tridemic, since there are no vaccines found yet for the RSV virus. However, Pfizer is committed to developing an RSV vaccine that may be administered directly to adults as well as indirectly to infants via maternal immunization. Since people with low immunity are more susceptible to the virus, everyone must maintain a healthy diet and a robust immune system to stay safe from the tridemic.