Where has the flu gone?

‘The world’s utter fixation on the Coronavirus, followed by the hysteria inevitably birthed by this intense level of concern, has led to neglect in all other aspects of our lives.’

In September a study conducted by the United States’ CDC (Center for Disease Control) reported that cases of influenza have dramatically decreased compared with previous years – not just in the US, but globally. To the researchers, the cause of this rather unusual situation was put down to the shopping list of measures taken by national governments across the globe in tackling the Coronavirus pandemic. This trend has continued into the Winter months, as the number of flu infections in the United States is now at a record low. The United Kingdom is also experiencing a similar flu season, as the infection rate is at its lowest level for ten years.

So, is the three-pronged attack of mask wearing, social distancing, and self-isolation to blame for the absence of a relatively normal flu season? Perhaps – the Flu peaks during the winter months not because the virus is more biologically adapted to the less humid air brought by the colder temperatures, but due to people spending more time indoors in close contact with others. This is the rationale with which the Government banned household mixing, in order to curb Coronavirus infections. Someone living alone and working from home, with little chance to socialise with others due to lockdown restrictions, would be extremely unlucky if they were to contract the virus, as well as transmit it to anyone else.

In addition, flu symptoms are eerily similar to Coronavirus symptoms; COVID-19 is often described as ‘like having the flu.’ Could it be that those who develop even mild signs of the corresponding symptoms self-isolate? The severity with which one is afflicted with the Flu varies from person to person; some are too sick to leave their beds, others only have a slight cough and feel ‘a little under the weather’, whilst others have no symptoms at all. As part of the ‘Flu Watch‘ studies that took place in the UK between 2006 and 2011, it was unveiled that approximately three quarters of those carrying the Flu do not express symptoms.

However, the number of reported Flu infections may be low for the same reason the number of reported cancer diagnoses are low. With healthcare services halted to free up resources and manpower to deal with Coronavirus infections (a move that is largely unnecessary), coupled with suffers being frightened away from seeking treatment out of fear of catching COVID or out of duty not to place pressure on the NHS, has allowed close to 50,000 cancer cases to go undiagnosed, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer has not vanished, neither has the flu; without information provided by the health industry, it is difficult to witness the scale of the problem.

There is also the case of false-positive Coronavirus tests. As the Coronavirus and the Flu share numerous symptoms with one another, those with the Flu book a test to see whether they have COVID. The test is only 70% effective, meaning that many fall through the gaps, but also, perfectly healthy people are incorrectly diagnosed with the illness. The only way someone can be mis-diagnosed with COVID is if they have a test in the first place, but this usually takes place if they develop symptoms, or encounter someone who has symptoms. Therefore, those who have or have encountered someone with the Flu are more likely to be affected by false positives compared with the rest of the general public.

The world’s utter fixation on the Coronavirus, followed by the hysteria inevitably birthed by this intense level of concern, has led to neglect in all other aspects of our lives. Even concern for personal health (both physically as well as mentally) has been discarded, surprisingly, in a new normal where saving lives - no matter the cost – is pursued with a war-like mentality. The Flu appears to be one such casualty.