COVID
  • The BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subvariants of Omicron (descendents of BA.5) are now the dominant strains of COVID pushing a new wave of infections this winter.
  • The new COVID sublineages are not different enough from the original Omicron strain to be considered separate variants of concern.
  • These subvariants are likely more resistant to the currently-used monoclonal antibody treatments.
  • The updated bivalent COVID vaccine does show strong neutralizing antibody response to BQ.1.1.
  • The variant XBB is also circulating at low levels currently – we are watching its progress as it’s been touted as more immune-evasive than prior variants. The BF.7 strain is also picking up globally with more transmission potential than prior variants. The severity of illness with each new variant is being reviewed.

 

RSV
  • RSV is a common virus that infects the respiratory tract. It’s transmissible via respiratory droplets and is one of the three most threatening respiratory viruses this season as non-pharmacologic measures have by-and-large been dropped. It can be particularly severe for infants younger than 6 months or those who are compromised or elderly.
  • The virus typically spikes in January, but RSV surged early this year with the overall shifting viral landscape during the pandemic. As of mid-November, RSV activity was high in all regions of the US, with a particularly burdensome number of hospitalizations.
  • According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody to prevent severe lung infection, may be given to eligible infants throughout the 2022-23 RSV season.

 

Influenza
  • The CDC has reported that hospitalization rates for influenza are at their highest in over a decade. The flu season also got off to an early and more severe start as predicted, based on what we knew of the season in the southern hemisphere this year.
  • As of the week of November 19, a large number of states are experiencing high levels of flu, stressing many urgent cares and emergency rooms.
  • Flu vaccines are recommended to prevent severe infection and transmission – it’s not too late to get the influenza vaccine for this season.
  • Though preliminary, CDC data indicates that the 2022-2023 influenza season flu vaccine formulations are a good match to protect against the currently circulating flu viruses.
  • For those at high risk of severe disease with influenza, therapeutics exist and can be reviewed with your Private Medical physician.