NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center said he thinks the flu season may be mild given indications from countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Dr. David Aronoff, Vanderbilt University's Division of Infectious Diseases director, said he's been watching the flu season in place such as Australia, that experience it before the United States.
The country is seeing a milder flu season than last year. Dr. Aronoff thinks social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions may be having an effect on the spread of influenza.
The flu is a respiratory virus, much like COVID-19. Aronoff said methods such as mask-wearing can reduce the transfer of both viruses.
"We need to remember that our summer is the winter in the southern hemisphere. So, countries in the southern hemisphere have their own flu season during the winter, which is summer here. And indicators suggest, in some areas where they track influenza activity, that this has not been a terrible flu season. In fact, it has been better than other flu seasons," said Aronoff.
According to information from MeHarry Medical College, flu vaccines should arrive soon at the hospital.
Chair and Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine Dr. Duane Smoot said he's going to encourage more people to get the vaccine. He's worried about what may happen if a person catches the flu and COVID-19 at the same time.
"It's going to come and people need to be ready to take their vaccines [to] minimize the possibility to get the flu and COVID-19 together," said Smoot.
Dr. Aronoff said he believes both the flu test and COVID-19 test could be administered at the same time in the coming months for people showing respiratory symptoms.
"Symptoms between COVID-19 and influenza can be very similar. I think it's hard to tell the difference without testing. It may be that we really need testing to tell us how we're doing in both in terms of activity in our community," he said.
There are two seasonal strains of the Influenza virus, A and B. Right now, Aronoff said he's unsure of which strain of the flu to expect this year.
