In the run-up to the Christmas holidays, an increasing number of people across Finland have been suffering from the effects of one of three respiratory infections: coronavirus, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
"And then there are a number of respiratory viruses for which we don't even have names," Tuula Hannila-Handelberg, a Chief Physician at public health authority THL, told Yle's Radio Suomi in an interview on Thursday.
In the United States, the threat posed by the three infections has been referred to as a "tripledemic", with broadcaster CNN reporting that RSV cases have surged while Covid cases are on the rise again.
Hannila-Handelberg told Radio Suomi that the term could also be used to describe the current situation in Finland too.
"Yes, it looks like a triple epidemic at this stage, or at least that it's coming," she said.
First post-Covid influenza season
The restrictions put in place over the last two winters to stem the spread of Covid also had a significant impact on the number of influenza cases, but the current flu season is the first since 2019 without any Covid-related restrictions.
This has led to an increase in cases compared to last year and 2020, but no discernible difference from pre-pandemic flu season figures, according to Otto Helve of THL.
"As in a normal winter before the pandemic, we have a very large number of different pathogens circulating in the population at the same time," Helve said.
However, the number of cases of flu and RSV have been higher than expected in many countries, and the flu season began earlier than usual.
According to THL's Hannila-Handelberg, the high rise in flu cases may indicate that Covid-era habits such as avoiding social contacts have lowered people's immunity to flu and other viruses.
Mild infections can be treated at home
Speaking to Yle on Thursday, Otto Helve — who is the newly-appointed Director of the Department of Health Security at THL — gave the following advice if people want to limit the chance of picking up a respiratory infection this winter:
- Take the recommended vaccinations.
- Stay at home if sick.
- Remember to wash your hands.
- Observe good hand and cough hygiene.
- Use a mask at your own discretion.
- Avoid tightly packed, poorly ventilated indoor areas.
"It's best to avoid contact, especially in the early stages of an infection, because that's when the virus is especially contagious," Hannila-Handberg added.
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