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'Tripledemic': what is it and how to stay safe

By Sara Molina

Posted December 8, 2022

hospital beds

The tripledemic is furthering ongoing hospital bed shortages. (Steve Burns, WFIU/WTIU News)

A surge of viruses following Thanksgiving gatherings has left hospitals struggling to accommodate for more patients.   

The 2022 “tripledemic” refers to COVID-19 in combination with seasonal influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), said Kristen Kelley, Indianapolis’ IU Health director of quality, safety and infection prevention.

“From an epidemiological perspective, we're just seeing … increases in multiple respiratory viruses,” she said. “Which makes it very interesting, the hospitals are extremely busy.” 

The three viruses all are similar but had different peak seasons. With COVID-19 in the mix, the winter months have become particularly infectious.  

Hospitals track upwards of 12 viruses constantly. While each is unique, they are typically seen at their peak around winter months with the exception of COVID. Since it was a worldwide pandemic, it is difficult to name a peak season, Kelley said.

“There has been a steady increase in hospitalizations due to COVID-19, but it definitely has not been on the level it was in the last couple of years,” she said. “The issue is we’re seeing a little bit of an uptick in COVID as well as RSV and the flu spiking at the same time.” 

Nearly all of IU Health’s hospital beds are in use, Kelley said. The CDC warns that children under 1 year old and older adults are the most highly susceptible to these viruses.  

There has been a shortage of available pediatric hospital beds for months now, but with respiratory viruses surging, the ongoing shortage has increased. The shortage is spreading to adult units.  

Read more: 'We need help' IU Health pushed to the brink with record number of COVID-19 patients

“The pediatric hospitals across the nation have been very overwhelmed with these respiratory illnesses,” she said. “And similar to what happens when you're a parent, you know, sometimes the kids will bring it home. Then parents get sick or the grandparents get sick.” 

Kelley said she predicts the next few weeks will be busy for respiratory issues. People can expect to see many people in their friend group and family getting sick, she said.

Because people across the country have been dealing with COVID for so long and know how to minimize the risk, preventing the tripledemic should not be much different.

“Masking could be an option for anybody that has … really serious immunity issues or health issues,” Kelley said. “Hand washing is always good. If someone's sick in your home, just trying to isolate them as much as possible.” 

Pharmacies and hospitals nationwide are offering an updated COVID booster along with a flu shot. Click here to find a vaccination site near you.

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