SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Even in this unpredictable year, there’s one thing we can count on: Flu season will arrive. While it’s always important to protect yourself and others from flu, this year it’s critical. With COVID-19 still very much with us, a bad influenza season could have dire consequences—for both you and for the medical system. Both flu and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms, like fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, body aches, chills and fatigue. “We now know that people can contract them at the same time,” said Bob Pelz, MD, medical director for infection prevention for PeaceHealth Oregon. “Even though flu is less dangerous than COVID, it’s a killer. About 61,000 Americans died of the disease in the last bad flu season three years ago. Catching COVID and flu could be deadly, especially for older people and anyone with underlying medical issues.” Dr. Pelz added that the influx of COVID patients coinciding with very bad flu season could spell big trouble for the medical system. “Although our staff is trained and prepared and our supplies are adequate, high numbers of patients needing intensive respiratory care could overburden our caregivers, deplete supplies and make it harder to care for patients in the hospital for other reasons,” he said.
